File a Complaint

Addressing Concerns Through Communication

The San Diego County Dental Society Ethics Committee reviews and interprets incident and ethical reports submitted by members or the public. The committee adheres to the California Dental Association’s code of ethics. All reports will be evaluated for alleged violations. The Ethics Committee will provide guidance to members for nonconfrontational issues. Once your report is submitted, you will be contacted by a member of our Ethics Committee.

How SDCDS Can Help

If you have a concern, our Ethics Committee can conduct unbiased and objective evaluations. We are not an enforcement agency and have no authority over dental licenses. For dental service or treatment concerns, referrals may be directed to the CDA Council on Mediation for review and assistance.

Common Questions

Find answers below to better understand SDCDS’s role and how concerns are handled.

📄 What can I submit to SDCDS? ›

SDCDS accepts incident reports, not formal complaints. An incident report allows us to document concerns related to ethical or professional conduct and help determine whether communication or referral is appropriate. SDCDS is a member-based organization and is only able to address concerns related to our members.

⚡ What is SDCDS’s role when concerns arise? ›

Our role is to help facilitate communication between patients and dentists when issues cannot be resolved directly. We aim to encourage constructive dialogue and clarify next steps when appropriate.

⚖️ What is an ethical report? ›

An ethical report is used when a concern relates to how a dental practice operates or represents itself, rather than the outcome of dental treatment. This may include issues such as misleading advertising, misrepresentation of credentials, or unprofessional business practices.

📄 What is an incident report? ›

An incident report is used when a concern relates to a dental procedure or clinical service that a patient is dissatisfied with. This may include concerns about how a procedure was performed or the outcome of treatment.

⏱️ What if the concern cannot be resolved? ›

If a concern cannot be resolved through communication, individuals are encouraged to contact membership@sdcds.org for guidance. Our team can help explain available options and outline appropriate next steps.

File a Report

If you are ready to take the next step, please select the option below that best fits your situation.

Ethical Report

Concerns related to professional conduct
or ethical matters.

Submit Ethical Report

Incident Report

General concerns where communication
support may be helpful.

Submit Incident Report

We understand that raising a concern can feel overwhelming. SDCDS is committed to supporting respectful communication and helping guide appropriate next steps.

Please allow for 1-2 weeks for our committee to review your report. For emergency situations or issues related to gross negligence, substance abuse, unsanitary conditions, or false name use, please contact the California Dental Board at 916-263-2300.