Patient Management

Obtaining and regularly updating medical and dental health histories for every patient is a cornerstone of ethical and responsible dental care. Risk management experts have identified six ways that maintaining accurate health histories protects your patients and practice.

Obtaining proper, legal consent for nonverbal adults is of paramount importance in the dental practice. By becoming familiar with local laws, employing effective communication strategies, involving caregivers and advocate, and maintaining documentation, dentists can provide ethical care for a vulnerable population. 

When offering refunds to dental patients, it is essential to have clear policies and procedures in place. Refund policies should be communicated clearly to patients, so they understand under what circumstances refunds will be offered and what documentation may be required.

Every quarter, CDA publishes a Practice Health Check focusing on a different topic related to the business side of dentistry. Patient financial management is the focus in the third quarter of 2023. CDA members are invited to take the Q3 Practice Health Check consisting of just three questions.

A breakdown in communication is often the underlying factor in negative online reviews, lawsuits or complaints. TDIC’s Risk Management analysts explain how a confirming communication climate in the dental office reduces risk and share ways to create one.

Identity or treatment plan mistakes can occur in any dental practice. Research by TDIC’s analysts reveals the most commonly occurring elements are referral slip errors, performance or production pressure and staffing shortages. Prevention requires a proactive approach.

CDA encourages its members to take a proactive approach to employee meal and rest break compliance. Doing so requires an understanding of the regulations involved and communicating with employees about them.

“Sad or Mad: Fear and Loss of Control in the Pandemic,” an editorial by Kerry K. Carney, DDS, CDE, that appeared in the April 2021 Journal of the California Dental Association, is the first-place recipient of the 2021 William J. Gies Editorial Award.
 

Handling unhappy patients can be an unfortunate reality of practice ownership. On the rare occasion anger escalates to aggression, be mindful of your obligation to provide a safe working environment for your employees. Follow guidance for safe and appropriate de-escalation tactics.

Questions arise regarding if and when dentists should consider dismissing patients. Recent calls to TDIC’s Advice Line showcase the unique complexities of dismissing patients prior to completion of treatment.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that revises language in the written informed consent form that dentists must provide to patients prior to administering general anesthesia and deep or moderate sedation. Although the new law does not impact the practice of dentistry, dentists should ensure that beginning Jan. 1, 2020, they are using a consent form that is compliant with the new law.

A dentist who writes controlled substance prescriptions can now review CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) for patients for whom the dentist is listed as a prescriber. This ability to review the list is useful when a dentist has misplaced a prescription pad or has had a prescription pad stolen or when a dentist suspects someone is misusing their DEA number.