Prevention of Wrong-Site Tooth Extraction: Clinical Guidelines

Wrong-site tooth extraction can be defined as the extraction of a tooth other than the one intended by the referring dentist. This adverse event continues to be one of the major reasons for filing malpractice claims against oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Most cases of wrong-site tooth extractions are preventable and can be minimized by the development of an educational program, an informative, unambiguous referral form, a pre-operative check list, and incorporation of the Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery into daily clinical practice.