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Dental Malpractice Insurance

malpractice insurance for dental practices 

Dental practices perform a wide range of clinical procedures—from routine exams and preventative care to complex endodontics, implants, sedation dentistry, cosmetic reconstruction, and oral surgery. Because these treatments involve direct intervention with nerves, soft tissue, bone, and airway management, even minor errors can result in nerve injury, infection, anesthesia complications, or long-term functional or cosmetic harm. This makes malpractice insurance essential for both general dentists and dental specialists.

Insurance for dental practices must reflect the varied clinical services performed across general dentistry, oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and sedation-supported procedures. Policies need to address treatment complications, consent issues, nerve or sinus injuries, failed implants, anesthesia risks, and staff-related errors.

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Whether you operate a general practice, cosmetic-focused clinic, surgical dental office, or multi-location group, we can secure the most suitable insurance at the best price.

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Malpractice Insurance for Dental Practices can include:

  • Covers general dentistry and specialty procedures including endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and prosthodontics.
  • Includes protection for cosmetic procedures, implants, and sedation-related incidents.
  • Staff coverage available for hygienists, dental assistants, and in-office anesthesiologists.
  • Legal defense for allegations of negligence, consent failure, or injury during dental treatment.
  • Optional coverage for facial esthetics, Botox, and dermal fillers.
  • Limits up to $1 million per claim / $3 million aggregate, with tail coverage available.

More information

Insurance for Dental Practices can include:

Malpractice or liability insurance can provide essential protection against these risks:

  1. Professional Liability (Malpractice)

    1. Covers negligent treatment, diagnostic errors, and complications from dental procedures.
    2. Protection for general dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, and orthodontics.
    3. Includes coverage for dental implants, bone grafting, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative work.
    4. Defense for anesthesia-related incidents involving nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation (where licensure permits).
    5. Covers allegations of nerve injury, sinus perforation, infection, extraction complications, or failed cosmetic outcomes.
    6. Optional endorsements for Botox, dermal fillers, and facial esthetic treatments performed within dental scope.
    7. Staff liability included for hygienists, dental assistants, and in-office anesthesiology support.
    8. Standard limits up to $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate, with tail and retroactive options for continuity.

  2. General Liability

    1. Third-party bodily injury coverage for slips, falls, and accidents in treatment rooms or waiting areas.
    2. Protection for patient injuries during transfers, chair movement, or equipment malfunction.
    3. Coverage for property damage claims involving dental equipment or patient belongings.
    4. Advertising and personal injury protection, including reputational harm or marketing claims.
    5. Meets lease requirements, lender contracts, and regulatory obligations for professional facilities.
    6. Includes options for multi-location practices and corporate entities.

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The Cost of Dental Practices Insurance:

Dental malpractice rates vary widely depending on specialty, procedures offered, anesthesia use, and claims history.

General Dentists Malpractice Insurance – Estimated Ranges

  • $1,500 – $4,000 per year for standard coverage.
  • Higher if performing surgical extractions or implants.

Specialists Liability Insurance – Estimated Ranges:

  • Endodontists: $3,000 – $7,000 per year
  • Periodontists: $4,000 – $9,000 per year
  • Oral Surgeons / OMFS: $10,000 – $25,000+
  • Cosmetic-focused dentists: $3,000 – $8,000+

General Liability Insurance – Estimated Ranges:

  • Typically $400 – $1,500 per year, depending on practice size and patient volume.

Major Pricing Factors

  • Types of procedures performed (routine vs. surgical vs. sedation-supported)
  • Use of IV/moderate sedation vs. nitrous or oral sedation
  • Implant volume, cosmetic volume, or complex oral surgery scope
  • Claims history, lawsuits, or board actions
  • State litigation environment
  • Number of dentists, hygienists, and treatment rooms
  • Whether Botox/fillers or facial esthetic services are offered

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High-Risk Procedures and their Impact on your Premiums

Procedure / Specialty Description & Risks Insurance Impact
IV or Deep Sedation Airway loss, hypoxia, respiratory depression, and anesthesia complications without a dedicated provider. Often declined by standard carriers; if approved, premiums may increase 200–400% with strict sedation credentials required.
Full-Bony Third Molar Extractions High risk of nerve damage, infection, sinus involvement, and post-op complications. Premium surcharges 50–150%; higher if sedation is used.
All-on-4 / Full-Arch Immediate Load Implants Complex surgery with risk of implant failure, nerve trauma, or sinus perforation. Surcharges 100–300%; some carriers exclude or require specialized documentation.
Cosmetic Botox / Fillers Risk of vascular occlusion, asymmetry, and aesthetic claims. Premium increases 50–150%; some policies exclude unless endorsed.
General Anesthesia in Office High-severity airway and respiratory risks; requires hospital-level protocols. Frequently declined; otherwise placed with surplus-lines carriers at significantly higher premiums.
Zygomatic or Pterygoid Implants High-risk surgical implant placement with potential for catastrophic complications. Often excluded; if covered, premiums may increase 200–500%.

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What types of Insurance do Dental Practices need?

 
General Liability Insurance

General Liability Insurance

General Liability covers medical expenses and attorney fees which result from bodily injuries and property damage that your facility or organization could be legally responsible for.
 
 
Professional Liability Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as malpractice insurance, this  protects facilities against claims related to malpractice, negligence, or injury resulting from resident care. Staff members will typically be covered by professional liability insurance.
 
 
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Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance

Provides coverage for your dental practice against claims arising from alleged sexual misconduct or molestation by an employee or other representative of your organization. Essential for the senior living industry.
 
 
Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial Property Insurance

This protects your facility against damage or loss to your buildings, equipment, and other property, which can happen as the result of various risks such as fire, theft, or vandalism.
 
 
workers compensation insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers Compensation Insurance is usually mandated by law. It protects dental practices and employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.
 
 
Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber Liability Insurance

Covers you against financial losses associated with data breaches, cyber attacks, and other cyber incidents. Insurers will usually conduct rigorous testing of your online system to fix vulnerabilities as part of this policy.
 

Why Work With Homewood

Dental practices often face underwriting hurdles—especially when offering implants, sedation dentistry, or cosmetic services. At Homewood, we help you:

  • Match with carriers that support your specific clinical scope, including implants, sedation, cosmetic procedures, or surgical work.
  • Strengthen submissions by reviewing sedation protocols, consent forms, surgical documentation, and credentialing.
  • Avoid hidden exclusions, especially for anesthesia, implants, nerve-injury claims, and cosmetic injectables.
  • Negotiate competitive pricing, even for high-risk dental specialties like oral surgery or full-arch implant providers.
  • Secure coverage continuity with tail, prior acts, and multi-location endorsements to protect your practice long-term.

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Ralph Schiller

Ralph Schiller

Ralph specializes in sourcing the most suitable insurance for Dental Practices at the best price. You can call him or fill out the form and he will get your message directly.