August 5, 2013
From getting the whole dental team to get along and work together efficiently to planning for changes due to the Affordable Care Act and interoperable electronic health records, the office manager has a lot to think about in the day-to-day scheme. Here are the most popular articles so far this year for the dental office manager. Pick your favorite and see what you might learn!
14 – UPDATING AND RAISING YOUR DENTAL FEES IS PART OF “WEEDING” THE FINANCIAL GARDEN OF YOUR PRACTICE
Pesky “weeds” – like inaccurate and outdated fee schedules, inactive patients, and office fees – need to be tended to throughout the year to make sure your garden – your practice – blossoms. Follow these tips from Dayna Johnson to rid your practice of things that are holding you back and create a healthier practice.13 – DENTAL INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN COULD BE MANDATED IN 2014
“Pediatric services, including oral and vision care” is one of the essential health benefits that must be covered in insurance plans as part of the Affordable Care Act. Some organizations argue that this would lead millions of Americans to drop their insurance to avoid paying for pediatric coverage, but others say it’s unlikely.12 – CONFRONTING AND OVERCOMING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY FEMALE DENTAL TEAM MEMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS
Dr. Patricia O’Gorman just published The Resilient Woman: Mastering the 7 Steps to Personal Power, which covers how women can use their skills to “grow and counter the pervasive [social] forces known as ‘girly thoughts.’” Editor Kevin Henry sat down with her to talk about this empowering book.11 – 100 MORE TIPS FROM 100 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT EXPERTS IN 100 WORDS OR LESS
Advice for every dental office professional in the office, including tips on scheduling, practice management, patient relationships, marketing, front office, financial, and communication, amongthe rest. Check these pages out for a little know-how – or perhaps a refresher – on how to be the best office manager possible (and make your job easier!).10 – THREE TACTICS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHONE SKILLS IN THE DENTAL OFFICE
Three simple tips that will leave you with an appointment at the end of your phone call nearly every time.9 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: SHOULD OUR OFFICE ADOPT AN ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE?
Work fewer hours for more days, or more hours for fewer days? That is the question this office manager has. See what the experts say about alternative work schedules.8 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: THE EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR TOUGH QUESTIONS
This office manager is in an awkward situation: a patient has a terrible body odor problem that is so strong, it’s offensive. An office manager can only wonder what the hygienist has to go through, but is there a good way to bring the situation up without hurting anyone’s feelings or making it even more awkward? See the two different answers we got.7 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: THE OFFICE MANAGER PLAYS FAVORITES
You’re only human, so you’ll gravitate towards some people more than others. However, it can be inappropriate sometimes, especially when you start playing favorites in the workplace. See what the experts advised this dental assistant to do, and make sure you don’t create the same situation in your practice.6 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: WHO GETS PRIORITY AT THE FRONT DESK? CALLER OR VISITOR?
A patient is checking out and the phone rings – which one do you take care of first?5 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: I HAVE TO CLOCK OUT WHEN PATIENTS DON’T SHOW
This hourly employee wonders if anyone else experiences this problem. While it’s legal, it’s not exactly beneficial to the office as a whole, in terms of morale. See the alternatives to clocking out when patients don’t show.4 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: PSYCHO COWORKER
Ever been in a situation in which a person you work closely with tries to sabotage your productivity and make coming to work a highly unpleasant experience? Here’s how to deal.3 – THURSDAY TROUBLESHOOTER: PIERCINGS AND TATTOOS ON DENTAL OFFICE EMPLOYEES
While facial piercings are becoming more popular, the dental assistant wearing them will have to answer to how safe it is in the office. They’ll also have to fight against patients who see the facial piercing or tattoo and wonder how hygienic the person is whose hands are in her mouth.2 – DENTALCODEOLOGY: 2013 CDT BOTTOM LINE CHANGES FOR INSURANCE AND DENTAL HYGIENE
The new CDT update focuses on new technologies and materials. Interoperable EHRs aren’t mandated yet, but many changes in coding are being put into place to ease the transition for the day it will inevitably happen.
1 – WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY WHEN THE DOCTOR DIDN’T DO ANYTHING?
How many times have you heard a patient ask this question? Regardless of what a doctor is able to do at a patient’s appointment, the entire team did something to help the patient and fit them into the schedule, so be careful about uttering the words “The doctor didn’t do anything” – your patient may take it the wrong way.
Lauren Burns is the editor of Proofs magazine and the email newsletters RDH Graduate and Proofs. She is currently based out of New York City. Follow her on Twitter: @ellekeid.
