According to the 2005 ADA survey of fifteen dental malpractice insurance companies, all the following were considered to be the most significant dentist-patient communication problems except one. Which is the exception?

The focus of the survey conducted by the ADA was to identify key issues in dentist-patient communications that could lead to malpractice claims. Among the options provided, the lack of following proper HIPAA procedures between a child and parent is considered the exception. This is primarily because while HIPAA compliance is crucial for maintaining patient confidentiality and can affect communication, it is not typically categorized as a direct communication issue between the dentist and the patient.

The other options revolve more directly around situations that lead to misunderstandings or strained relationships between dentists and their patients. Critical comments made by another dentist can undermine the patient's confidence in their current dentist, leading to communication breakdowns. Professional liability claims tied to billing issues point to poor communication regarding financial expectations. Finally, communication challenges between a primary dentist and a specialist can directly impact patient care and the overall experience.

In contrast, HIPAA procedures, while essential to patient privacy and legal compliance, do not inherently represent a communication failure within the context of dentist-patient relationships. Therefore, this aspect does not align with the communication problems highlighted in the survey findings.