Week 2 PP Flashcards

Question

What are the Benefits to Computerized Scheduling?

Answer 1

1. Data entries are easier to read 2. Scheduling, cancelling, rescheduling appointments is easier 3. set production goals 4. auto scheduler allows for a quick search of open appointments 5. Patient records can easily be viewed 6. color code appointments

Answer 2

1. described as units of time (basic units are booked in either 10, 15, or 30 min increments) 2. Columns per day (each column represents an operatory) 3. Office hours (may vary depending on the day of the week) 4. Buffer time (time that is reserved each day for scheduling emergency patients and is usually 1-2 units) If not needed can be filled with short appointments but no more than 24 hours in advance 5. Meetings 6. Holidays (when office is closed or when school is off on holiday)

Answer 3

Appointment book is outlined months in advance - DO NOT schedule outside of the outline *booking 15 min into your lunch or at the end of the day adds up (ex. 5 x in one week = 2.5 hours extra)

Answer 4

-reserved time for emergencies - 1 or 2 per day usually late morning or early afternoon -use an identifier to indicate the time available -DDS operatories only -If the buffer time is not needed for an emergency it can be filled with a short appointment, but do not fill more than 24 hours in advance

Answer 5

1. Patients Name in Full 2. Preferred Phone Number(s) 3. Treatment to be Done (should all appear) 4. Age of Patient (child only) 5. Length of Appointment - based on office list of time for each type of procedure 6. Special Notations - lab, pre-med

Answer 6

- ensure the patient load is balanced throughout the day. Provides an even pace to the day without feeling undue tension or hurry - Patient must be seen on time. Discourteous and shows a lack of respect for their time if not. -Dentist and the staff can make good use of their time. Allows maximum productivity and the delivery of high-quality care for the patients

Answer 7

Often are schedued in the morning when the dentist and staff are at higher energy levels Do not schedule difficult procedures close together (crown and bridge, implant, surgeries). This can add undue stress on the dentist and staff. NEVER schedule back to back.

Answer 8

Scheduling must be engineered to allow efficient use of "idle" time for greater productivity. A dentist will inject local anesthetic and needs to wait 3-5 minutes for it to take effect. This waiting period is considered down time. During this time, the dentist can complete a recall exam or adjust a filling in another op.

Answer 9

- Allow time for treatment area prep and clean up. Considered as part of the scheduled time. - Educate patients about treatment times - Protect the appointment book from the eyes of others (privacy)

Answer 10

Should be scheduled as soon as possible after they call for an appointment. - some office reserve "NP time" each day -Patients should be asked to arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork -review any offie policies (payment, insurance) -Provide directions to office, parking info, etc.

Answer 11

commonly appointments are booked with each unit block being either 10 or 15 minutes

Answer 12

reserved time for emergencies - 1 or 2 buffers/day -use a different color block to indicate space -dentist ops only -do not fill with a non-emergency patient more than 24 hours in advance

Answer 13

months in advance - DO NOT schedule outside of the outline -booking 15 mins into the lunch or extra at the end of the day adds up!

Answer 14

When you add new patients, you must first enter the head of household or guarantor, even if that person is not a patient. After entering the head of household, you can add additional family members. This person is responsible for payment of the account. If they are not a patient - you would indicate them as a "Non-Patient"

Answer 15

Name Status - patient, non patient, male/female, single/married DOB: Day/Month/Year Address - complete with postal code Email & Phone number

Answer 16

NP prim - new patient Pol - polishing Fl - fluoride

Answer 17

-Young children (under 5) are usually at their best in the morning - parents usually prefer to schedule school aged children after school or when school is closed

Answer 18

- must be seen ASAP -failure to accommodate a patient of record opens the dentist to charges of abandonment - may work over your lunch, or work late

Answer 19

-could become regular patients and should be scheduled as soon as possible - buffer times are usually reserved in the appointment book for this purpose

Answer 20

- Where is the pain ? -How long has the pain been going on? * Is there fever or swelling? * Is the pain constant or “on” and “off”? * Is the pain aggravated by hot, cold or biting? * Has there been recent treatment or trauma to the area? If a patient wants an appointment time that is more convenient then it may not be a true emergency

Answer 21

A list of "average times" should be followed when booking hygiene appointments. - appointment times should include the time required for the dentist to check the hygiene patient (recall exam)

Answer 22

- some procedures may require a series of appointments (ex. crown & bridge) -more efficient to schedule the appointments at the beginning of treatment *try to give the patient the same day and time for each appointment (easier to remember)

Answer 23

-number of appointments required -how long each appointment will take -how many lab working days is required between appointments

Answer 24

- Who can perform the procedure? (Dentist, RDH, RDA) - Is time utilized well? *is the hygienist and the dentist time booked to full production? *no open time in primary column or hygiene column

Answer 25

These can be booked in the second operatory of Dentist - for doctor to pop in and out and check on patients, then go back to main operatory 1. * Desensitization * Pit and Fissure Sealants * Radiographs * Polish amalgam restorations * Removal of excess cement after temporary or final cementation of bridge or crowns (OHI included). * Suture removal * Alginate impressions for bleaching trays, sports guards or study models * Tooth whitening education * Provisional crown or restoration * Prophy and fluoride (children and teens) * OHI

Answer 26

-Sometimes patients do not show up, cancel last minute or show up late -Sometimes patients just drop in -How do we deal with these issues and still maintain control over the schedule? *know your office policy *does your office charge for "no show" or last minute cancellations? *Does the office allow a buffer time for a drop in appointment? *you may have to tactfully inform the patient that the dentist sees patients on an appointment only basis

Answer 27

An office that always runs behind is disrespectful of their patient’s time. Patients will start to show up late to their appointments rather than waiting. Patients who are always late should be discreetly reminded that their lateness is depriving themselves and others of treatment. Call at ten minutes past appointment time, to see if the patient is coming to the appointment. Explain the treatment requires scheduled amount of time. May need to reschedule. Record in chart.

Answer 28

* When a patient doesn’t show up for an appointment, this information should be recorded as a “broken appointment”. * Could be considered contributory negligence on the part of the patient. * Know your office policy and explain to all patients (24 hour notice? 48?) * Repeated occurrences often lead to financial penalty or decision to no longer book patient.

Answer 29

* Know your office policy and explain to all patients (24 hour notice? 48?) * Repeated occurrences often lead to financial penalty or decision to no longer book patient.