Do I contact this patient?

[Michelle Stutz]

I recently left my position as lead assistant due to a recurring incident.  The dentist I worked for would only use the straight elevator to ext teeth.  He does not loosen the ligaments, just starts prying on the tooth.  Doing this has caused pieces of bone to break off an tearing of the patients gums due to the elevator slipping an puncturing the tissue.  He recently ext a tooth an broke it into pieces an left a large piece of bone fragment just dangling on her gums, no stitches nothing!!  I brought it to his attention but he left it!  I could not stay there any longer after that!  I need to know if I would be crossing any HIPPA laws by calling her (I looked her number up online) & telling her she really needs to go have that looked at.  I'm sure by now she is really in pain.  What do I do??????

[Shane Sykes]

What a sad situation! While it may be best for the patient to be contacted, if the dentist ever found out you could be sued for all sorts of things, including slander or libel, theft of protected information, practicing dentistry without a license, etc. I don't know what HIPPA laws say, but it is a risky line to cross. There is some risk for the patient in this situation, there is great risk to you personally.

Good luck!

[Michelle Stutz]

Thank you for the response, that helped me greatly!  I am sure by now that the patient has realized that somethings not right.  I'm just so beside myself for this happening.