Patient Responsibilities & Continuity of Care Policy

Mazen Natour DMD PLLC (“Our Practice”) is committed to providing safe, ethical, and evidence-based dental care. Successful treatment depends upon an ongoing partnership between the patient and the dental team. We ask all patients to actively participate in their oral health by attending recommended appointments, following treatment recommendations, communicating openly with our office, and complying with our practice policies.

In certain circumstances, our practice may determine, at its discretion, that it is no longer appropriate to continue the dentist-patient relationship. This decision is made only after careful consideration of the patient’s clinical needs, the applicable standard of care, and our professional and legal obligations. Circumstances that may warrant termination of the dentist-patient relationship include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to return for routine recare (recall) appointments, periodic examinations, or recommended follow-up care for an extended period of time (generally three years or longer), resulting in an interruption of continuity of care, or failure to meet the applicable standards of care.
• Repeated refusal of diagnostic procedures that the treating dentist determines are medically or dentally necessary to diagnose, monitor, or safely treat oral conditions, including recommended dental radiographs (X-rays), after the risks, benefits, and alternatives have been explained; where such refusal could result in a failure to meet the applicable standards of care.
• Repeated refusal of recommended treatment that, in the professional judgment of the treating dentist, is necessary to diagnose, stabilize, prevent progression of disease, or otherwise provide care consistent with the applicable standard of care.
• Failure to comply with treatment recommendations or postoperative instructions when such noncompliance prevents the practice from safely or appropriately providing dental care.
• A pattern of missed appointments, excessive last-minute cancellations, repeated “no-shows,” or failure to comply with the practice’s scheduling policies that substantially interferes with the delivery of care.
• Failure to satisfy financial obligations in accordance with the practice’s financial policies, except where prohibited by law or modified by written agreement.
• Abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate behavior toward dentists, staff, or other patients.
• Conduct that compromises the safety of patients or staff or otherwise makes it impossible for the practice to provide appropriate care.

Whenever appropriate, we will first attempt to discuss concerns with the patient and provide an opportunity to resolve the issue. However, if we determine that we are unable to provide care that meets the applicable standard of care or that the dentist-patient relationship can no longer be maintained, we reserve the right to discontinue providing non-emergency dental services.

If the practice elects to terminate the dentist-patient relationship, we will provide written notice consistent with applicable law and accepted professional standards. Except where immediate termination is necessary because of threats, violence, or other circumstances affecting safety, the practice will generally continue to provide emergency dental care for a reasonable transition period following the notice of termination to allow the patient sufficient time to establish care with another licensed dentist.

Upon receipt of an appropriate written authorization, we will promptly provide or transfer copies of the patient’s dental records in accordance with applicable federal and New York law.

Nothing in this policy limits the practice’s obligation to provide emergency care when required by law or professional ethics. This policy will be applied in a fair and consistent manner and does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law.