Teleradiology
ADA recommendations
The very real possibility of dental practitioners being held medicolegally responsible for failure to detect or correctly interpret nonodontogenic pathology within the extensive volumetric data set of a CBCT has been considered by the Australian Dental Associations.
In 2021 the Australian Dental Association reviewed its policy on the responsibilities of those dentists prescribing or performing CBCT.
The Australian Dental Association Policy Statement 6.22, DentoMaxillofacial Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography section 2.8 states:
‘’Dentists must be responsible for ensuring that the entire data in any CBCT that they prescribe are reviewed and interpreted by a practitioner with suitable training and experience, with appropriate records being maintained.’’
Medico-legal implications for dentists
Practitioners are responsible for reporting on the whole volume of data that has been taken and incidentals findings are not uncommon.
Dentists may be exposed to significant medico-legal risks by not appreciating odontogenic and non-odontogenic pathology contained within the CBCT volume. Such pathology may arise within facial structures and be the cause of symptoms presenting to the dentist.
The volume of data obtained will also include non-dental structures which may be unfamiliar to a dentist, including the soft tissues of the neck, upper cervical spine, airways, sinuses, and base of skull.
Medicare
CBCT for surgeons or specialist dentists, and OPG/Ceph for surgeons, specialist and general dentists attract Medicare rebates, our experienced team can assist with the process of getting your practice set up and accredited with Medicare.
Private Health Insurance
There is the potential for patients with comprehensive private health insurance to claim a rebate from their private health insurer for interpretation of CBCT data sets.
