Returning to Work - 4 Recommendations and How to Implement Them Using Dentrix

As many states are preparing to re-open dental practices for non-emergency procedures, the American Dental Association has released a Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit. Here are some of their recommendations and how you can implement them using Dentrix.

Send Patients a Welcome back Reassurance Letter

This letter should describe your office’s procedures for infection control which will ease patient’s minds and give them confidence to come to the office for their appointments. The American Dental Association has provided a sample letter for offices to use. The letter could be mailed or e-mailed to patients. If you want to mail a physical letter, you can create a letter template in Microsoft Word and use Dentrix data fields to enter patient information (such as names and addresses). Then you can use Letters and Custom Lists in the Office Manager to create and print the letters. I would recommend sending the letter to all patients that have been seen in your office in the last twelve months.

If you are using Dentrix Patient Engage, you can create a letter template and e-mail it to patients. If possible, e-mailing may be a more convenient way to communicate because the patients will receive the letter immediately.

Pre-Appointment Screening Process

The American Dental Association is recommending asking patients a list of questions to screen them prior to their appointment. This can be done over the phone during the appointment confirmation call. You can also create a questionnaire in Dentrix with the screening questions. A link to this questionnaire can be put on your office website and you can direct patients to fill it out prior to their appointment. 

Limit Patient Traffic

In order to limit the number of people in your office, have patients wait in their cars until you are ready to bring them in to the operatory. You can text them using Dentrix Patient Engage when you’re ready for them to enter the practice. Bring them directly to the operatory to avoid patients being in close contact with each other. For patients who are minors, speak to their parent/guardian prior to the appointment, during the confirmation call. Let them know for the health and safety of all patients, you are limiting the number of people in the office. Therefore, only one family member can accompany the patient to the appointment. 

Employee Screening

Keep a daily log of employee health screenings. Keep this in a folder for future reference. If any employee isn't feeling well, send them home right away.

Use the American Dental Association Return to Work Interim Guidance Toolkit to help plan and implement strategies so you can re-open your dental practice in a way that ensures the health of your patients and staff. 

If you have questions, please e-mail me at vectordentalconsulting@gmail.com.


Charlotte Skaggs, Certified Dentrix Trainer

Charlotte Skaggs is the founder of Vector Dental Consulting LLC, a practice management firm focused on taking offices to the next level. Charlotte co-owned and managed a successful dental practice with her husband for 17 years. She has a unique approach to consulting based on the perspective of a practice owner. Charlotte has been using Dentrix for almost 20 years and is a certified Dentrix trainer. Contact Charlotte at vectordentalconsulting@gmail.com.

from  The Dentrix Office Manager Blog https://ift.tt/3c8rihu