What does the term "malpractice" refer to in the context of dentistry?

The term "malpractice," particularly in dentistry, refers to a situation where a dental professional fails to provide the standard of care that is expected in their field, which ultimately results in harm to the patient. This failure to adhere to established standards can encompass a variety of actions or inactions, such as misdiagnosing a condition, using inappropriate treatment methods, or neglecting to maintain professional hygiene standards.

The essence of malpractice is centered around negligence; it specifically addresses instances where the care provided is substandard compared to what a reasonably competent dental professional would offer under similar circumstances. If the patient's injury or harm can be directly linked to this negligence, it constitutes malpractice.

While other options, like providing treatment without patient consent or failing to keep accurate patient records, can also lead to legal issues, they do not capture the broad definition of malpractice, which focuses on the failure to provide acceptable care. Furthermore, a conflict of interest, while ethically significant, does not directly relate to the quality of care provided to the patient and thus is not encompassed by the term "malpractice."