In dentistry, optimal patient safety exists when all members of the dental team actively work together to ensure the well-being of each patient. When a crisis does arise, a prepared team is an effective team.
Guidelines for behavior should exist when practice team members interact with one another outside of the office. TDIC’s Risk Management analysts encourage dentists to promote high standards of behavior inside and outside of the office by clearly defining professional boundaries.
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.
In-office dental assistant training has arrived for the many CDA members who continue to have challenges finding and hiring qualified dental assistants for their practice. The curriculum provides 12 weeks of supportive online learning for use alongside in-office training.
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.
Dental assistant training programs are successfully placing graduates in California dental practices. One recent graduate, Liz Martinez, changed her career as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and is now employed by a dental practice in San Francisco.
Dental staffing shortages may make it tempting to offer a position to the first person who turns in an application, but a measured approach to hiring is recommended. Time and planning invested in your practice’s hiring process will save you money, maintain consistency and reduce risks of bad hires.
Reduce practice costs with effective inventory control. Best practices for inventory control include creating a shopping list, reducing redundancy, setting a supply budget and assigning specific inventory roles and responsibilities.
CDA encourages dentists to take steps to determine if a patient portal is right for their practice. Consider the needs of your staff and patients before investing in portal software.
CDA’s pilot dental assisting training programs continue to be successful ― placing most of their participants in open dental positions in California. Now, the training programs, which teach participants the basic skills for a dental assisting career, are coming to two additional regions in the state.
Prioritizing job duty training over educating new employees about crucial office policies can lead to miscommunication and increased risk of misconduct. Minimize risk by documenting your practice’s employment policies, with resources from CDA and TDIC.
California dentists have a new voice at the table in state government. Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, MBA, EdD, dean of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry to serve on a brand-new council that is responsible for helping to coordinate workforce education and training to meet the state’s health care needs.
