Dentists may face hikes in malpractice insurance

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Friday, March 7, 2003 | 10:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Like physicians before them, some dentists may soon get drilled with increases in medical malpractice insurance premiums.

State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman said Thursday a group of five companies that covers about 100 dentists in Nevada for malpractice has applied to raise rates by 15 percent effective July 1.

The group includes Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., The American Insurance Co., Associated Indemnity Co., National Surety Corp. and Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. of Wisconsin.

The last rate change for those insurance companies occurred in May 2001 when it lowered rates by 0.3 percent.

Molasky-Arman will decide whether to hold a hearing on the request before making a decision whether to grant, reduce or reject the requested increase. There are 1,323 dentists licensed in Nevada and 113 new dentists were licensed last year, according to state Boar of Dental Examiners records.

Linda Riggs, administrative assistant to the board in Las Vegas, said she has not heard of any major problem involving malpractice cases involving dentists and there has not been any exodus of dentists from Nevada.