What is a Dental Medical Expert Witness?
A dental medical expert is a licensed dental professional who provides expert opinions and testimony in legal matters involving dental conditions and/or trauma. Their role is to interpret, evaluate, and explain conditions, injuries, treatments, diagnoses, and outcomes, especially when questions arise about the standard of care, negligence, or injuries. Dental Medical Experts can be general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, prosthodontists, periodontists, or other specialists, depending on the nature of the case.
Core Responsibilities of a Dental Medical Expert
Case Review and Analysis
Dental medical experts are often called upon to review clinical records, radiographs, treatment plans, and procedural documentation. Their role is to determine whether the standard of care was met and to identify any potential negligence or misconduct.
Expert Reports and Legal Documentation
They prepare detailed written reports summarizing their findings, opinions, and conclusions. Legal teams use these documents to support or refute claims in litigation.
Depositions and Court Testimony
When necessary, attorneys may call on a dental expert to testify in depositions or court. These experts provide credible, unbiased opinions. The best dental experts clearly explain complex dental issues in layman’s terms for judges, juries, and attorneys.
Support for Plaintiff or Defense
Either side in a legal dispute can retain dental medical experts. These experts may support a plaintiff’s claim of dental malpractice or defend a practitioner against unfounded allegations. They contribute crucial insights to case strategy and deliver their expert opinions objectively and without bias.
Evaluation of Damages and Future Care Needs
In cases involving trauma, injury, or long-term damage, a dental expert may provide assessments on the extent of harm and outline future treatment needs and associated costs.
Common situations where a Dental Medical Expert may be needed
- Allegations of dental malpractice or negligence
- Personal injury cases involving facial trauma
- Insurance claim disputes regarding dental care
- Dental fraud or billing investigations
- Wrongful death claims with oral health components
- Workers’ compensation cases involving jaw or tooth injuries
Dental issues can be technically complex and are often not well understood by those outside the profession. A dental medical expert bridges that gap, ensuring that decisions in court are based on accurate, objective interpretations of dental care.
Our dental medical experts are highly trained dentists whose role is to provide their nonbiased expert opinion—with clarity, credibility, and medical accuracy.