EP 115: The Threat of Workplace Violence In Dental Offices with Duane Tinker

Nobody Told Me That! with Teresa Duncan

In this episode, we dive deep into the concerning issue of workplace violence in dental offices. I was joined by my friend Duane Tinker, a compliance consultant and former investigator for the Texas Dental Board. This episode is a bit more serious than usual but oh so important.

• Dental Office Safety: We discuss the duty of business owners to provide a safe workplace, the importance of contingency plans, and the potential legal ramifications they may face in case of violent incidents. We also touch on the delicate topic of carrying guns at work - you have to know your local laws and regulations. The episode took a sobering turn as we discussed real-life cases where dentists have been killed in their offices. We explore the traumatic aftermath of such incidents and the long-lasting effects they have on individuals and the dental field as a whole.

• Safety Measures and Self Defense: We also touch on practical safety measures that dental offices can implement, such as panic buttons, safe rooms, and preparation exercises. Tink (as his friends call him) offers valuable insights into self-defense methods that you can utilize, including using non-traditional objects as weapons.

• Staying Informed and Educated to Ensure Compliance: Tink shares his expertise on fraud, waste, and abuse laws and why you can no longer take the risk that “it won’t happen to you.”

I hope that this episode empowers you to create a safer and more compliant dental practice. For you and your team.

Resources from the call:

• ADA’s Tip Sheet on Workplace Violence: https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/publications/guidelines-for-practice-success/gps-regulatory/employee-on-employee-violence-tip-sheet.pdf

• Elite Learning’s class on the topic: https://www.elitelearning.com/resource-center/dental/workplace-violence-in-the-dental-office/

• Article on Patient Aggression: https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/20660-patient-aggression-toward-dentists-a-common-issue-survey

Connect with Duane “Tink” Tinker:

• Talking with the Toothcop Podcast

• Facebook: The Dental Compliance and Duane Tinker

• Linkedin: Duane Tinker

• Book a Call with Duane Tinker

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