Dental and legal considerations in periodontal therapy.

This chapter introduces the practitioner to basic legal principles and concepts relating to periodontal diagnosis, treatment, referral and the effects of emerging technologies on periodontal legal issues. An overview of periodontal evidence in the courtroom is also included. The biological foundation of periodontics is crucial to successful restorative dentistry. Indeed, knowledge of the interrelationship between biological principles of hard and soft tissue management and the biomechanics of restorative design and materials are essential to optimize dental health. Similarly, legal principles provide the foundation for the interrelationship between dentistry and the law. Critical to building this legal foundation is the fiduciary obligation required by law of both the general practitioner and the periodontist to protect and preserve the patient’s dental health (50). Accordingly, the patient’s welfare and best dental health interest should remain paramount. Protecting the patient’s interest also promotes dentistry’s ethical goals. The American Dental Association (ADA) Dentist’s Pledge, adopted in 1991, states, in pertinent part: