Property exposure is moderate due to the use of expensive diagnostic and dental equipment. All electrical wiring must be up to code and equipment properly maintained. A small fire which produces smoke can cause considerable damage when sterile equipment and environments are compromised. Target items for theft include gases, pharmaceuticals, and gold used for fillings. These items should be inaccessible for unauthorized use and stored in a protected area after hours.

Most property items are better covered on inland marine forms such as a computer form or a physicians and surgeons floater. The business income and extra expense exposure can be minimized if the dentist has arranged for temporary facilities with another dentist

Equipment breakdown exposures are high as operations are dependent on dental equipment being available. All equipment should be maintained on an ongoing basis.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty of both money and inventory. Background checks should be conducted on all employees handling money. Dentists keep gases, gold, and pharmaceuticals on the premises. Rigid controls must be maintained including inventory control and limited access to storage areas. All ordering, billing and disbursement must be handled by separate individuals. Money and securities are a concern if payments are accepted on premises. Deposits should be made regularly and money should not be kept on premises overnight.

Inland marine exposure includes accounts receivable, computers, physicians and surgeons equipment, and valuable papers and records. Accounts receivable coverage is needed if the dentist bills for services. Computers are used for patients’ records and other office purposes, but some dental equipment, such as video equipment and X-ray machines, is now also computerized. Physicians and surgeons equipment includes items that the dentist may take off site to handle emergencies, and can be extended to include all office furnishings. Duplicates of all records and programs should be kept off site.

Occupiers’ Liability exposure is moderate due to public access to the premises. The customer areas should be neat with no obstructions. Trips, slips, and falls are major concerns. Adequate lighting, marked exits and egress are mandatory. Steps should have handrails, be well-lighted, marked, and in good repair. Parking lots should be maintained free of ice and snow. Housekeeping should be excellent and spills must be cleaned up promptly. Overhead equipment should be moved before patients exit dental chairs.

Professional exposures are extensive. All dentists and employees should be well trained, experienced, and properly licensed. The more varied procedures that the dentist performs, the more chance of professional loss. Needles and other equipment must be sterilized and sanitized to prevent the spread of blood-borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and AIDS. On-site surgery must be closely monitored, with an experienced trained individual administering and monitoring the use of the anesthetic. Many dentists handle cases requiring anesthesia in a hospital environment and use the staff anesthesiologist.

Automobile exposure is generally limited to hired and Non-owned liability for employees running errands. If the dentist or other personnel travel to client locations such as hospitals and nursing homes, motor vehicle reports should be obtained on an ongoing basis. The radius of the area driven, the age, record, and training of the driver, and vehicle maintenance should be monitored.

Workers compensation exposure is due to the possible transmission of disease from a patient. Dusts caused by grinding and exposure to adhesives and other substances can result in occupational injury to eyes, lungs, or skin. Gloves and masks should be worn at all times when working around the patient. Training and safety equipment should be in place to prevent exposure to radiation when performing X-rays.