When Tragedy Strikes: Disability Insurance and Practice Continuity Planning for Dental Professionals

In dentistry, we often focus on clinical excellence, patient care, and practice management—but what happens when unexpected tragedy strikes? At The Authentic Dentist, we recently encountered a situation that brought this question into sharp focus, compelling us to have an authentic and vulnerable conversation about preparedness and protection in the dental profession.

A Personal Tragedy and Professional Wake-Up Call

Dr. Allison House recently experienced something no professional wants to face: learning that a close dental school classmate suffered severe burns in an accident that completely destroyed his practice. This rural dentist served as the only provider for approximately 8,000 patients in his community. In an instant, both the practitioner and the practice were suddenly unavailable.

"When you have a tragedy, you should really think about what would happen, what you want to happen. And it's unpleasant for sure. But it is important to look at all those pieces," Dr. House shared during our conversation.

This devastating situation highlights the vulnerability we all share as dental professionals and brings to light critical questions about practice continuity, financial security, and patient care during unexpected emergencies.

Authentic Leadership Means Preparing for the Unexpected

As dental professionals, our authentic leadership is tested not only during daily practice but in how we prepare for potential crises. True leadership involves making difficult decisions and having uncomfortable conversations before they're needed.

Own Occupation Disability Insurance: A Critical Safety Net

Perhaps the most important takeaway from Dr. House's friend's situation was the value of proper insurance coverage.

"He did have own occupation disability insurance. Thank God," Dr. House explained. "If you are the sole breadwinner in your household, then you do need some kind of a disability policy, because what if this happened to you? You have to still be able to pay your mortgage and your children's college."

Own occupation disability insurance specifically protects your specialized ability to practice dentistry, providing income if you cannot perform your specific professional duties—even if you could potentially work in another field. For dental professionals, this distinction is crucial.

Dr. House also noted the financial wisdom of securing these policies early: "We bought these disability policies when we were in dental school. So they are a lot less expensive when you're 26 years old than when you're 50 years old. So I would suggest you do that sooner rather than later if you need insurance."

Creating a Sustainable Dental Practice Model Through Preparedness

A truly sustainable dental practice model extends beyond clinical systems and financial management to include crisis preparedness:

1. Offsite Data Backup: Protecting Your Practice's Digital Lifeline

In this particular case, one decision proved incredibly valuable: "They did have an offsite backup. So that's one of the things I want to talk about. They did have an offsite backup. So they have all the patient data."

Dr. House emphasized the critical importance of this foresight: "If you don't do that and something happens to your practice, how will you get in touch with those patients? How will you figure out what dental cases have been delivered? How will people get their records sent to another dentist?"

While cloud-based practice management systems offer built-in protection, any practice not utilizing cloud technology should implement regular offsite backups. This simple step can make the difference between recoverable disruption and complete practice collapse.

2. Dental Team Culture and Support Networks

When facing personal crisis, the strength of both your practice team and broader dental community becomes evident. Clear role definitions and emergency procedures allow your team to respond effectively when you cannot lead.

Dr. House highlighted another protective measure dental professionals should consider: "I strongly encourage you to have a disability group. Get 16 people so that your practice will be covered. Because what if you got breast cancer? Things happen even to young people."

A disability group—where colleagues agree to cover each other's practices during medical emergencies—represents the dental profession at its most collaborative. Dr. House recounted how this worked for another colleague: "When my other friend had cancer, we have a disability group... there were 16 of us that covered his practice. But the practice was still standing... Each one of us took one day and covered his practice."

3. Practice Continuity Planning

The complex questions that arise during a practice emergency reveal the importance of advance planning:

• Who makes decisions about continuing employee payments?

• How will outstanding patient treatments be completed?

• Who manages insurance claims and billing?

• How will patient communication be handled?

Dr. House noted the challenges: "His spouse is not worried about that. But we have a responsibility because we don't want to be sued."

These questions highlight the need for written contingency plans that can guide decision-making during emotionally challenging times.

Finding Your Authentic Voice in Dental Practice Leadership

True dental practice leadership means addressing difficult topics and making thoughtful decisions aligned with your values. Dr. House demonstrates this authenticity in her own choices:

"I actually don't have [own occupation disability insurance]. And the reason I don't have that is because I am not the sole provider in my household. Both my husband and I have jobs, and we make about the same amount of money... So we don't really need a disability policy like that. But that was a conscious decision. We made that decision. Eyes open."

This transparency illustrates a crucial point: authentic dental practice is not about following one-size-fits-all recommendations but making intentional choices based on your unique situation and values.

Building a Supportive Community in Dentistry

The dental industry shines brightest in how it responds to challenges facing its members. Dr. House noted: "I do appreciate how much the community has come together. Everyone, all 8,000 of those people love my friend... Lots of support from the community, and then from the dental community."

Creating and maintaining these connections within the dental profession isn't just about networking—it's about establishing support systems that can sustain us through personal and professional challenges.

Overcoming Dental Practice Challenges Through Preparedness

While no one wants to contemplate tragedy, preparedness represents a form of professional responsibility and personal peace of mind. By addressing these difficult questions proactively, you strengthen your practice against potential disruptions and demonstrate commitment to your patients, team, and family.

As The Authentic Dentist Podcast continues exploring the intersection of clinical excellence and personal fulfillment, we encourage dental professionals to have these important conversations before they're needed. Authentic dental practice means preparing not just for success, but for life's unexpected challenges as well.

This blog post was inspired by a recent episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast featuring Dr. Allison House, a practicing dentist with over 24 years of experience, and Shawn Zajas, a dental marketing expert. The podcast explores the intersection of clinical excellence, ethical practice, and personal fulfillment in dentistry.