The video above provides a brief overview of our peer review process.

A patient or third party payer (i.e. insurance company) may file a request for peer review. 

We need the patient to file this complaint on their own because our process relies upon the voluntary cooperation and active participation of the people directly involved in the dispute. There is an exception in the case of underage children because their parents or legal guardians typically act on their behalf with regard to dental treatment issues. 

Our process is designed to look at disputes related to the appropriateness of care and the quality of treatment. This can include billing errors if there is a question about whether the charge in dispute is the dentist’s usual fee for a given procedure. 

A complaint must be related to the care and treatment of a patient. Even then, we will not accept a case if the matter is currently the subject of litigation. This can include criminal complaints, civil lawsuits and state agency investigations. However, there is an exception for fee disputes that are subject to a collection action in court. In those cases, we will agree to consider a case if the dentist agrees to withdraw their lawsuit against a patient. 

Most dentists will agree to participate in our process. As professionals, they are often eager to tell their side of the story, especially when contacted by their peers regarding a complaint that was received from a patient. 

When we receive a request for peer review, it is automatically forwarded to a Peer Review Committee of one of our local dental societies. The volunteers who serve on these committees are dentists who were selected by the leaders of these local societies because of their reputation within the dental community, especially as it relates to their technical knowledge, clinical skill and judgment. 

CSDA staff can answer general questions about how the process works. However, we can’t answer questions related to treatment or billing issues because that is outside of our area of expertise. We also can’t refer a matter to a local peer review committee member before a case is filed, because they need to hear both sides of the story and review all available dental records before they are able to make an informed decision about a dispute. 

You may file a request for peer review by completing and submitting the following two forms to the Connecticut State Dental Association: