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Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

R.I. Gen. Laws 5-31.1.-34

Summary Title

Liability: Dentist and Dental Hygienist

Summary

A dentist or dental hygienist who, voluntarily and without compensation, provides emergency medical assistance in an area that is not a hospital, dentist’s office, or clinic will not be held legally responsible for acting or for failing to act. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness or intent to cause harm.

Full Title

Immunity from liability

Full Text

No dentist licensed under the provisions of this chapter or members of the same profession licensed to practice in other states of the United States, who voluntarily and gratuitously and other than in the ordinary course of his or her employment or practice, renders emergency medical assistance to a person in need of assistance, is liable for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by those persons in rendering the emergency care, which constitutes ordinary negligence. The immunity granted by this section does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence, or when the medical assistance is rendered at any hospital, dentist's office, or clinic where the services are normally rendered.

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