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Based on malpractice claims data in Spain, the authors propose eleven recommendations to mitigate preventable adverse events in dentistry. These recommendations include developing a culture of safety, improving the quality of clinical records, safe prescribing practices, using checklists in oral surgical procedures, and having an action plan for life-threatening emergencies in the dental clinic.

Patient safety events are common in dentistry, but it has been challenging for dental healthcare workers to establish a robust patient safety culture. This study used a cross-sectional survey to assess the safety attitudes among dentists and dental hygienists. Safety attitudes were high overall, but attitudes differed significantly by dentist characteristics. A 2016 Perspective on Safety in Dentistry offers more background on this topic.