I Recently Changed Dental Malpractice Insurance Providers: Here’s Why

During dental school, I focused on graduating, completing my requirements, and passing the national boards. Like most dental students, I didn’t spend much time thinking about real-world dentistry necessities, such as purchasing dental malpractice insurance. While living in the dental school bubble, I rarely looked outside of it.

As a student, I was covered under the dental school’s policy, so I didn’t fear a patient lawsuit or board complaint. I certainly felt plenty of stress and apprehension, but that was primarily due to the pressures of fulfilling our graduation requirements and passing my clinical competency exams, as well as the classes and boards.

Truthfully, I didn’t learn much about how to talk to patients. Instead, I often spoke over my patients to my instructors or classmates. I talked about patients as if they weren’t even there (especially when the rubber dam was in place and I was focused on completing a procedure, they were just a mouth and a set of teeth). Building long-term, trusting relationships with patients wasn’t something I was taught. If there were an issue with a patient, my instructors would bail me out. Looking back, I can see that this significant aspect of the dental school experience did not prepare me, and most of the other new graduates, for the real world of dentistry.

The same is true for buying dental malpractice insurance: No one prepared me for looking deeper into the company itself. Here’s what I learned about why having the right dental malpractice insurance matters – and what made me switch providers.

When I Needed Dental Malpractice Insurance

I knew I wasn’t ready for private practice after graduation and wanted more experience with the placement and restoration of dental implants. I applied to and was accepted into a two-year implant residency program at Boston University. While there, I passed my regional boards, received my Massachusetts license to practice dentistry, and was recruited for a part-time position at a private practice outside Boston, which required working on Saturdays. That’s when purchasing my own dental malpractice insurance became a consideration.

I asked the practice owner hiring me and some other residents who were similarly moonlighting for advice. They recommended a specific malpractice insurance company, and I went with it. I didn’t do much research. I just confirmed that it covered the procedures I was doing in general and implant dentistry. That was the extent of my decision-making. I didn’t think much about the cost, coverage, and quality of service of this particular plan either, because I naively didn’t look at other plans and had nothing to compare it to.

Realizing Not All Insurance Is the Same

Fast-forward about 20 years. I was still with the same provider, letting my policy renew year after year and never giving it much thought — until I talked with the Berxi team at the Yankee Dental Congress.

That conversation made me rethink everything. I learned that Berxi offers a modern, mobile-first option with potential cost savings. It’s part of and financially backed by the well-known Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. Berxi also offers perks through its partnerships with third-party vendors, such as an e-counseling company, CE credit instructors, a cyber insurance company, and Figs Scrubs. Plus, it would insure my hygienists for free.

I got a quick quote (literally right there at the Yankee booth), did some vetting, and decided to switch the following week.

What I Wish I’d Known Earlier About Choosing Dental Malpractice Insurance

If I could go back and give young Blocky some advice about buying something as important as dental malpractice insurance, I’d start with these six tips.

1. Do some research.

When I first needed insurance, the thought of it intimidated me. I associated it with lawsuits, mistakes, stress, failure, and other negative things associated with being a dentist. The topic felt overwhelming — different companies, policies, and minimal guidance. It was hard to know what was best.

With social media, videos, testimonials, online reviews, and search engines, it’s pretty easy to explore your options, compare policies, and see what other dentists in your area are using — and what they think about it. Search online and ask around. Find out what companies your colleagues trust and why. Don’t just buy the first thing that is offered to you.

2. Be sure you feel protected by your employer’s policy.

I have always had to buy my own dental malpractice policy, even as an associate. However, I know many dental associates who have their malpractice insurance paid for as an employee benefit by the practice owner. My advice to them: even though you are not paying for it, ensure your employer’s policy fully protects you. One question to ask: What are the policy’s limits of liability? If the per-occurrence limit feels too low to cover a whole-team suit, get your own insurance.

3. Look for a dental-focused company.

Dentistry is a complex industry, and it’s best to be backed by a company that understands it. For example, I hire a marketing company, an accounting firm, and equipment maintenance companies that specialize in dental. These vendors all comprehend the inner workings of dental practices. So, research their website and reviews. Does the company seem to understand your needs? Don’t be afraid to dig deeper, as I did, and talk directly to the experts on the phone or at a conference. Make sure they have good answers to your specific practice questions.

4. Test the customer service.

Call the company and ask a few questions and see how quickly someone responds. As dentists, our time is limited, and we need partners who return calls promptly and provide clear answers to our questions.

If the time comes, you need a team you can trust to tell you what to do if you’re facing a dental board complaint or lawsuit. You are paying for great advice and follow-through from your insurer. Don’t be shy in seeking help, both to learn what practical steps to take and to receive support when stressed about a situation with a patient. You are paying an insurance company for a service, and you should be happy with your choice.

5. Ask a lot of questions.

Are there any hidden fees? What (specific) procedures does the company cover? Are there deductibles? How can I be sure the insurer will be there when I need it? This can help determine how the financial security, depth of coverage, and commitment to customers speak to the quality of the insurance being offered.

I also ask every dental vendor I work with a straightforward thing: “How will you make my life more productive, more efficient, and less stressful?” If I don’t hear an answer that makes me feel understood and assured, I move on.

6. Compare apples to apples.

You’ve also got to get a quote so you can compare costs.

Your Research Is the Best Research

When looking for a dental malpractice insurance company, do your research and don’t just grab the first thing that comes your way, as I did. Dental malpractice insurance doesn’t have to be complicated or scary — it just needs to work for you. Take the time to understand your options. Your future self will thank you.

I choose dental malpractice insurance from Berxi because they understand the needs of my practice, meet my digital consumer needs, and assure me that they will be available and ready if I face a claim or dental board complaint.

 

Image courtesy of iStock.com/LordHenriVoton

Image courtesy of iStock.com/Ugur Karakoc

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Berxi™ or Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. This article (subject to change without notice) is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. Click here to read our full disclaimer