Dentaltown June 2018 - 48

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Money is not always the answer-it may work for a while, but a lot of people get burned out
and will take less money to be able to do more ideal work.
I think the recall hygiene appointment is extremely important. We get two or three chances
a year to show patients how much we care about quality of service. ■
2/15/2018

Ridin'Shotgun
Member Since: 10/15/11
Post: 10 of 31

Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate it. A bit of backstory: They used to take film-based
X-rays and it took like 20 minutes. Assistant used to take FMX and BW for her. There were a lot
of holes on the schedule so even if she ran behind, it wasn't a big deal.
I treat my staff very well. I'm not saying that because I'm delusional; I have good relationships with staff from old jobs and they want to work for me. It seems like younger staff (who
worked at other places) know that this is an easy, fun, comfortable workplace. I was livid last
night and sorry about my rant.
I like the idea of giving bonuses when it's three times more. I think that will shut her complaints. We are also getting a second assistant, so hopefully she can help the RDH out, but I
don't want RDH to expect the help every time.
Fairly recently I looked at numbers with her and gave her the raise according to that (with
no bonus system), but maybe I should go back to the old wage and add bonuses that way. (Office
slows down in summer here in Arizona.) As the office gets busy and adds more hours over time,
I should hire a second part-time RDH. Hopefully over two years, we can slowly move patients.
What a joy of running your office that's not yours yet! Apparently. ■
2/15/2018

atadentalcenter
Member Since: 02/17/17
Post: 11 of 31

I find that these are the problems with hygiene appointments:
1. Patient arrives 5-10 minutes late and still needs to fill out paperwork.
2. Patient sits in chair for 10+ minutes with topical gel.
3. Even if they ultrasonically scale, they still hand scale every surface regardless of whether
there is any clinically detectable calculus. For some reason, they seem to believe hand
scaling is better, even though studies show otherwise. ■
2/15/2018

Richy
Member Since: 03/30/10
Post: 12 of 31

Agreed. We now book NPs 15 minutes before the hour, so a 1 p.m. appointment is scheduled
for 12:45. This way if patients run late or do not fill out the paperwork off our website, we can
still treat on time. ■
2/15/2018

Ridin'Shotgun
Member Since: 10/15/11
Post: 15 of 31

Yes, thank you. I will have the conversation tomorrow. I asked her for any additional scalers
or tools so that we can have extra ones in case we don't have time to run sterilization.
And, new patients are typically on my column. She doesn't come to perio probe; I do that. I
think the bonus system with base pay will work out better. She is not really engaged when I talk
to patients at the checkup appointment.
Just a quick question: How do you (or any practice owner) keep track of things? I get slammed
with my own column patient care, dealing with admin stuff and doing notes. No OM here. ■
2/15/2018

pietrodds
Member Since: 11/12/06
Post: 17 of 31

It's been my experience that hygienists are the least apt to change their ways when it comes
to dental staff. Long-term staff get used to one track of thinking and get very comfortable with
"the way it is." They are also the most highly paid-sometimes overpaid-for the work they do.

JUNE 2018 // dentaltown.com

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