Departamento de Odontologia Social, Faculdade de Odontologia,

Abstract. We have studied 142 claims against dental surgeons, related to prosthodontics and periodontal treatment, in order to understand its motivation. These claims were submitted to the Commission of Claim Examination and Conciliation of the Regional Dental Council of São Paulo – CROSP, from 1993 to 1997. We have observed that 88 % of these claims were related to treatments done in private dental offices and that 84.5 % of them involved relationship difficulties between the patient and the dentist. We have also studied the documentation provided by patients in their claims and by professionals in their defense. We believe that these informations may be helpful to guide dental surgeons in the prevention of new claims, as well in the production of appropriated clinical documentation