Odontoiatria difensiva nell'era del less is more

OBJECTIVES The gradual increase in malpractice claims has led to a spread of attitudes to the defensive dentistry. The aim of the work is to examine this phenomenon, characterized by the implementation of acts behaviors to avoid charges of professional responsibility. METHODS The defensive dentistry often results in avoidance behavior towards patients or dangerous practices, in investigation hyperprescription. In recent times arose the movement less is more; it takes into account that diagnostic tests and inappropriate treatment can cause damage and that clinical decisions must result from the integration of best scientific evidence, in accordance with the patient's preferences and expectations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The doctor is always required to exercise their choices considering the patient's specific situation, in accordance with his will, beyond the rules crystallized in medical protocols. The guidelines are an instrument provided by law to assess the guilt of the doctor. The guidelines, however, do not represent a health behavior assessment tool to be used in blind and as absolute, and doctor is obliged to take into account the specificities of the case where there are peculiar characteristic that require a modification from the general recommendations.