Written by: Sandro Stojanovic, Esq. The Georgia Board of Dentistry ("the Board") recently issued a position statement regarding guidelines for re-opening of dental offices in light of Covid-19 issues. First, the Board requires each dental office to follow the: 1) Critical Infrastructure Guidelines, 2) American Dental Association’s (ADA) Interim Guidance for Minimizing Risk of COVID-19 Transmission, and 3) ADA Interim Mask and Face Shield guidelines. The

Written by: Sandro Stojanovic, Esq. At this time, the Georgia Assembly is in session and is considering many bills, including, some favorable tort reform propositions that will affect defendants in dental malpractice matters. First, SB 374 proposes the following amendment: Any offer to settle a tort for personal injury, bodily injury, or death must include all medical records related to the subject of the tort claim, including

Written by: Sandro Stojanovic, Esq. In all medical malpractice cases, plaintiff(s) will request production of medical practices and procedures from the employer, which is usually the professional corporation employing the physician. Plaintiff(s) are focusing on the practices and procedures applicable to the licensed medical staff, especially practices and procedures that would somehow direct physician/patient relationship or interfere with patient treatment. Many of the smaller medical facilities

Written by: Sandro Stojanovic, Esq.  Traditionally, when starting the investigation process, the Georgia Board of Dentistry (“GBD”) would send a certified letter to the licensed dentist requesting that the dentist provides a statement and certified copies of dental records and radiology studies. The dentist would then typically have fifteen (15) days to respond to the certified letter. As of 8/19/2019, that process has been changed. The

HBS Partners Jo Jagor and Ryan Donihue will be joining Dr. Mitchell Gardiner for a A Simulated Dental Malpractice Court Case Presented Live at the 2017 Hinman Dental Meeting. They will be presenting on March 24th from 2:00-5:00pm. Using an actual dental malpractice case, this program will portray what really takes place in the courtroom between a defendant dentist and malpractice lawyers. Meeting attendees will get to see and

Jo Jagor grew up in a family of dentists and dental providers. She began her medical malpractice defense career specifically defending dentists of all types including general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, pedodontists, orthodontists, and hygienists in civil suits and claim, as well as with issues involving the State Licensing Board of Dentistry. Jo has assisted her clients in resolving Risk Management

Here is a smattering of a some of the more interesting articles from the past few weeks related to dental news and commentary from varying perspectives: Patients, Insurance, and Costs There have been several articles recently commenting on the intersection of Medicare, Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, and emergency room visits for dental care. Health Canal focused and MedicalXpress discussed a study that found that

The sale or purchase of any business is a long, complicated process. This is especially so when it comes to a dental practice. Imagine, a group of busy dentists attempting to effectively compile, review, and complete stacks of documents while completing their normal, heavy workloads. Obtaining counsel early will minimize interference with your practice workload and provide a vital service to you throughout this difficult

These days most dentists advertise their practices and services via the internet or some form of print advertising.  Some larger practices even advertise via billboards or commercials.  While this type of advertising can provide increased exposure for your practice, it is important to remember that in Georgia there are advertising regulations that apply specifically to dentists.  Although the Georgia Board of Dentistry may not actively

Jo Jagor, a partner at Hall Booth Smith’s Atlanta office,  and Nathan Gaffney a senior associate have been selected to present at the Hinman Dental Seminar in Atlanta on March 27th.  This makes the second year in a row that Ms. Jagor and Mr. Gaffney have had the distinction and honor  of presenting to this distinguished meeting.  Their topic of a simulated Dental Malpractice trial will involve records