One Obscure 2021 Lawsuit Now Decides Your Practice’s Fate

Imagine this: every self‑employed clinician under your roof is now a potential £100,000+ risk.

Let that sink in.

In Breakingbury v Croad, a landmark 2021 case, the practice owner, can be held vicariously liable for an associate’s clinical error.

Even if they’re self‑employed.

Suddenly, dental negligence and clinical notes aren’t just matters of patient care; they’re matters of survival.

The Pivotal Ruling: Breakingbury v Croad

• Case background: A patient alleged substandard treatment by a self‑employed associate.

• The Court’s decision: The practice owner was held responsible for the associate’s negligence.

• Key takeaway: “Self‑employed” no longer equals “shielded from liability.”

Because of Breakingbury v Croad, UK dental practice owners must now scrutinise—and strengthen—every aspect of patient care, from diagnosis to documentation.

Why Strong Clinical Notes Are Your First Line of Defence

1. Evidence of care
   – Precise, timestamped entries prove that you followed best practices.

2. Risk mitigation
   – Robust clinical notes deter opportunistic claims and help you win disputes.

3. Regulatory compliance
   – The General Dental Council expects comprehensive record‑keeping as part of its Standards for the Dental Team.

With dental negligence claims up 66% since 2018, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every missing detail, every delayed entry, every ambiguous abbreviation could be the loophole a claimant’s solicitor exploits.

The Rising Tide of Dental Negligence Claims

According to recent industry data:

• 66% increase in reported dental negligence cases since 2018.

• Average settlement costs can exceed £100,000, including legal fees.

• Increasing patient awareness and access to “no win, no fee” solicitors.

This upward trend shows no sign of slowing—and practice owners are squarely in the firing line.

Introducing TreatmentPath: AI‑Powered Clinical Notes in 30 Seconds

What if you could minimise your legal exposure and streamline your documentation?

Enter TreatmentPath. The AI‑driven solution designed for today’s busy cliniciians.

• Speed: Complete robust clinical notes in just 30 seconds

• Accuracy: AI suggests the correct terminology, treatment codes, and risk factors

• Consistency: Uniform records across all clinicians, whether employed or self‑employed

• Audit‑ready: Structured, chronological entries that stand up to legal scrutiny

Take Control of Your Practice’s Future

Don’t wait for the next Breakingbury v Croad–style lawsuit to creep up on you years from now.

We offer an affordable practice license to equip your team with robust clinical notes and efficient clinical workflows.
Book your free demo today and discover how you can generate perfect notes in 30 seconds.