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:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2023/05/Dianne-Glasscoe-Watterson-thumbnail-3.jpg "Dianne Glasscoe Watterson")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2015/01/Improving-Clinical-Outcomes-with-Enhanced-Communication-11.jpg "Improving Clinical Outcomes with Enhanced Communication")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2023/05/Rebecca-Lang-180x180-4.jpg "Rebecca Lang")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2017/02/Motivational-Interviewing-and-Patient-Engagement-1.jpg "Motivational Interviewing and Patient Engagement")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2023/05/Michael-Glick-3.jpg "Michael Glick")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2021/05/critical-thinking2.jpg "Seeing is not always believing: An introduction to Critical Thinking")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=png)/up/2023/05/Lisa-Knowles-Thumbnail-3.png "Lisa Knowles")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/2018/11/Achieving-Whole-Mouth-Health-For-Your-Patients-Through-Coaching.jpg "Achieving Whole Mouth Health For Your Team Through Coaching")
Do you tell patients to wait an hour after an acid challenge to brush teeth if they rinse with h2o afterwards ? Eileen
Nowhere in the ADA guidelines does it recommend that anyone have 6 mth radiographs. That’s abuse. See this website; See http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/topics_radiography_examinations.pdf
State laws require that certain dental tx be seen to completion, regardless of the ability to pay. That is why it is prudent to settle financial matters before tx is commenced. You may need to check with your state board.
Typically 3, but there are always exceptions.
I think we have to be customer friendly, and for some, that may mean offering non-traditional hours. I’ve know doctors to open up time to accommodate a patient needing extensive dentistry. For the average patient requesting such hours, express gentle regrets.
Not in ffavor of charging for disappointments, as it creates ill will. See question #7
Many thanks for your good words!
I have two possible solutions: (1) Start buying American Eagle instruments. They are far superior in holding a sharp edge than anything else on the market; (2) learn how to sharpen with a handpiece and friction-grip stone. I have a CD that teaches this technique.
Seat the patient and priortize what is most important to do that day, knowing you will not be able to do everything you originally planned.
The success of automated programs is dependent upon several factors: (1) patient acceptance, (2) accuracy of data, and (3) not sacrificing human interaction for convenience. Does the voice sound like a robot? Offices that use automated reminder systems must be careful to extend plenty of personalized service.
In offices where hygienists have schedule access from their operatories, most hygienists will schedule their patient’s continuing care appt.
Is it because he is illiterate and unable to read the questions, or is it someone being obstinate? Dismiss from the practice if obstinance .
I’ve never been a proponent of charges for disappointments. I believe it creates ill will, and rarely do patients actually pay the BA fee. The fee, whatever amount it is, comes nowhere near the actual fee. I believe it is better to deal with chronic offenders individually.
Yes, allow yourself some buffer time. If the appointment is scheduled for 10, put 9:45 on the appointment card.
Some offices charge for BA, but rarely do they collect the fee. I believe it’s better to request a deposit or a credit card # to hold any future time.
I’m unsure what you are requesting. Feel free to contact me by email to clarify.
My pleasure!
I think it depends on the patient. However, every patient that disappoints should be contacted. First is the phone call, 2nd is a letter, third time is termination. For patients that the doctor does not wish to terminate, ask for a non-refundable deposit or a credit card # to hold the time in the schedule.
If you have digital radiography, 4 BWS should take 5 mins or less. An FMS will take about 10 mins. If you are not digital, youhave to count processing time, so it takes a little longer.
Good question! Actually, the word ‘adherence’ may be better than ‘compliance.’ Compliance denotes submission, whereas adherence denotes acceptance.
Talk with the patient in a private area and give the patient options. Let the patient decide.
Depending upon how late the patient is, the dentist may need to modify the original treatment plan. For example, if 3 restorations were planned, it might be more prudent to do only 1 or 2. However, it seems unfair to take from someone else’s time to accomodate the patient who was late.
I provided a reactivation protocol document on the Colgate site attached to my webinar. If you can’t find it, send me an email and I’ll send it to you.
Send me an email, and I’ll send you a sample dismissal letter. State laws require you to offer emergency care for 30 days following dismissal.
Seat the patient and priortize what is most important to do that day, knowing you will not be able to do everything you originally planned. Who knows? The next patient may disappoint, and you may have sufficient time to complete tx.
Provide palliative care, refer the patient, and consider treating such an emergency patient complimentary.
A prophy is not an appropriate tx for someone with diagnosed periodontal disease. If the patient refuses referral to a periodontist or definitive care in your office, and the doctor is unwilling to dismiss from the practice, I recommend that you provide a debridement with a power scaling and explain to the patient that this is simply meant to buy him a little time, that it is not the definitive care he needs. Do not polish. Irrigate with povidone iodine post scaling.Code and charge appropriately.
Six months is a long time to remember an appointment, so I believe patients who are scheduled should receive a reminder card 3 weeks before.
I am not a fan of infection control fees. I think people do not like to be “nickel and dimed”, and I would prefer your fee be sufficiently high to cover infection control.
Head & neck or oral cancer changes the rules. Only take x-rays that are absolutely necessary. IOW, you must have a compelling need before you expose the individual with a hx of cancer to any further radiation.
You make me smile. Many young professionals have not learned standards of decorum and professionalism. Model professionalism without being stodgy.
I am a big fan of the morning huddle. It should not last more than 10 mins. New patients are highlighted and someone give the thought for the day.
If this is a chronically late person, give yourself 15 mins. buffer time. If the appt. is at 10, write 9:45 on the appt. card. But when you do this, you have to note it in the schedule as well so any reminders will say 9:45. If the patient is late for other reasons, seat the patient and do what you can with the time you have left. Then reappoint to complete.
You have a good problem of more demand for services than capacity. Open up some more capacity by adding a hygiene day or consider assisted hygiene if you have the pre-requisites.
Yes, there are still some available. Go to my website at http://www.professionaldentalmgmt.com and click on the products tab. It is called “The Better Way to Sharpen.”
Maybe you should ask them a question: “Do you ever wonder why we have so many disappointments in hygiene? At least part of the problem is this phrase trivializes and denotes low value to hygiene services.” They need to shape up!
The dentist might recommend on one visit that x-rays will be needed on the next visit, and it is noted in the chart. Or the dentist may order x-rays in the morning huddle.
Thank you for attending.
Sounds like it is time for a microbiologically-based strategy. I would recommend a culture to find out which microbes are the most putative for this patient, possibly systemic antibiotics, WaterPik for daily use with an antimicrobial like sodium hypochlorite (1/2 tsp. to 35 oz water) and sulcular brushing with an interdental brush turned vertically. When you see her for 3 mth.visits, irrigate with povidone iodine.
Sometimes teens can be the most challenging patients when it comes to effective communication. Again, the IO camera can be an invaluable communication tool with this population. A great phrase is “I need your help…” Also, talk about how good oral hygiene prevents bad breath. That message often resonates with teens.
Mrs. Patient, there is far more of the tooth that we cannot see that what we can see. Radiographs help us identify problems early and can actually save you money. And, up-to-date radiographs is part of the standard of care in this state.
I believe in some situations it is permissible to dispense with the doctor exam, especially if the patient is late. But if you find caries or pathology, summon the doctor before you are finished.
My pleasure!
If the patient arrives after the next patient in the schedule, the only alternative is to reschedule. However, if there is at least 10 minutes, seat the patient and do what you can in the time you have left.
If you feel you cannot dismiss the patient from the practice, you should offer to take the radiographs without charge. Refusal forms are not helpful in these situations. Otherwise, dismiss.
My pleasure!
An intraoral camera makes a good communicator become a GREAT communicator.
My feeling is that you should conduct treatment presentations of anything more than 2 crowns in a consultation visit. Work up 2 different tx plans. Give the patient a choice. If the patient is financially strapped, you should priortize as to what is most necessary and work in phases.
Just consider how you would feel as a parent if this were your child in the chair. Again the IO camera is invaluable in making the point with parents and children.
An intraoral camera is quite valuable in these situations. Encourage parents to assist their children. Don’t just tell them – show them.