Members of the professional association demonstrate their commitment to quality care through NYSDA’s Peer Review and Quality Assurance Program.

Peer Review provides a confidential, impartial and timely way to resolve complaints about the appropriateness and quality of dental treatment provided by NYSDA-member dentists. Participation in this alternative dispute resolution process is a membership requirement.

Peer Review resolves patient complaints confidentially. Neither the process nor its outcome is reported to any outside agency – or the public. Peer Reviews are resolved by a committee of impartial professional peers. Peer Review resolutions are final. Peer Review findings have been upheld by the court providing the doctor with immunity from subsequent litigation.

Peer Review provides: 

• An alternative to resolve complaints about dental treatment
• An objective evaluation of treatment by a committee of impartial professional peers
• Confidentiality
• A refund of fees to the patient when treatment is not consistent with the standard of care

 To be eligible for Peer Review:

• Treatment must be provided by a NYSDA member dentist
• Treatment must have been completed within 2 ½ years prior to submission of the Agreement to Submit to Peer Review
• Dispute cannot have been submitted to or resolved by an alternative mechanism; i.e., collection action, legal proceeding, OPD, etc.

 Benefits to NYSDA Members

• Process is confidential. There is no reporting to any outside entity, i.e., OPD, National Practitioner Data Bank, the public, etc.
• Process is definitive and final. Parties cannot sue subsequent to a Peer Review decision. The process has been upheld repeatedly by the courts.
• Treatment is evaluated by professional peers.
• When treatment is found to be acceptable, the doctor receives the fees owed by the patient

A Guide to Peer Review

Contact NYSDA