COVID-19 has crippled the dental industry unlike anything we’ve seen in recent history. Thriving private practices have shuttered their doors throughout the United States due to federal mandates, forcing them to lay off staff and determine whether they can afford to start seeing patients again. Without the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand and reserve funds to rehire front office personnel, many dentists are having to reinvent the way they do business. We are literally experiencing a turning point in modern dental office management and day-to-day operations.
Which hurdles are dentists facing during reopening?
Currently, it’s difficult to ensure proper social distancing or even find necessary PPE in a traditional office environment. Everyday items such as gloves and surgical masks are in high demand or reserved for other health-care personnel, such as those serving hospital emergency rooms. With COVID-19 impacting PPE protocols for nonclinical staff also, such as the team members in the reception area, it becomes even more difficult to locate and afford enough supplies. In fact, many practices are considering adjusting their fee schedules to accommodate the increased costs associated with these supply needs.
Many dentists have been forced to lay off existing staff because it’s not financially feasible to keep people on the payroll during such uncertain times. If the business doesn’t bounce back as quickly as hoped, dentists are left trying to figure out how to pay everyone. If the dentist chooses to hire someone only part-time at the front desk, it means there isn’t a real person answering the phone or scheduling patients, both of which are essential to correct the income challenges.
What about changes with patients’ insurance providers? For those who have recently lost jobs or filed for other third-party coverage due to income changes, there’s the added step of contacting, confirming, and breaking down their new benefits schedules. Will practices have the time or resources to keep up with who has coverage anymore?
A budget-savvy, professional solution to dentists’ needs
What if it were possible to hire expertly trained and experienced dental office managers to help operate a dental practice on a virtual basis? This could actually help provide real-time patient support and office operations without affecting the quality of patient care. It would be like having a front office staff member, but without someone being physically present in the practice.
The remotely-based support member would be able to work via HIPAA-approved platforms, ensuring the privacy and security of you and your patients’ data at all times. Knowing that each virtual assistant was expertly screened for a successful background in dental office operations would give dentists the peace of mind that a business needs at such a trying time. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
With fewer in-person staff in the office, offices would be able to adhere to regional, state, and other applicable social distancing mandates. By limiting the number of individuals onsite, practices would save money and resources by significantly limiting the supply of PPE that’s necessary for day-to-day needs in a dental environment.
Since remotely-based teams are expertly trained each week, the virtual dental support staff is aware of any changes to COVID-19 requirements and ADA and CDC recommendations, and will be there to provide the peace of mind that you and your patients need right now. The affordability of a remote support staff makes it easier to get a business back on its feet without expensive overhead costs; in fact, it’s even more affordable than finding and hiring new front desk staff.
Don’t trust your practice to just anyone
Gold Virtual Assistant is a Georgia-based, privately owned virtual dental support agency that helps dentists run their practices more efficiently. For more than five years, their highly screened, professionally trained team has provided resources such as:
- Phone support
- Appointment scheduing
- Insurance verification, claim submission, and explanation of benefits (EOB) management
- Remote, HIPAA-secure virtual assitance to dentists
By providing remote services for all front office tasks, Gold Virtual Assistant makes it possible for dentists to reduce the number of individuals in the building and minimize PPE use. This way, dentists can ensure their practices operate efficiently without having to face the financial strain of immediately adding new, long-term staff into an already fragile financial margin.
Many virtual dental support agencies have offices in the US, yet still outsource their services overseas. Gold Virtual Assistant is different. All of its staff are experienced dental professionals who are hand selected and live in Georgia, providing live support for dentists throughout the US. Additionally, Gold mandates weekly training for all team members due to the ongoing changes in the dental industry, including restrictions associated with COVID-19 office closures.
Also, Gold’s services are available on a month-to-month basis, allowing private practice dentists to access virtual support front office staff as needed. Most doctors are surprised to learn that the services are more affordable than hiring a full-time staff member. Since there are no long-term contracts, Gold Virtual Assistant can meet the evolving changes as practices bounce back from the pandemic. Offices can cancel their virtual front office services at any time or keep the service for the long haul to reduce overhead while adapting to the future of dentistry.
Gold Virtual Assistant offers a no-pressure, complimentary quote for all dental practices affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns. To learn more about the month-to-month remote dental personnel services, contact them at (470) 210-5632, [email protected], or visit goldvirtualassistant.com.
Arreanna Cromartie is the owner of Gold Virtual Assistant, a leader in remote support for dental practices nationwide. Cromartie received most of her experience as an office manager in private as well as corporate dentistry. It was during this time she created a strategic, successful system that improves the day-to-day operations of all dental practices. With the help of other experienced dental icons, she works with the goal of helping every dental practice improve, increase, thrive, and relax. Whether it’s offering phone support, detailed eligibility, claim supervision, or just giving her expertise in dental office management, Cromartie thrives on the success and innovation of the dental industry. Feel free to contact her at [email protected] or call or text (470) 210-5632.
