Top ten in practice
It is a good time to explore areas that may have been overlooked
It’s that time of year again. Summer is over and the schools are back. It is a good time to reflect on your practice; to think about areas that might have been overlooked. I’ve put together 10 key areas that will assist in considering important facets of dental practice.
1. Practice equipment
When was the last time your chair had a check? It’s good practice to have your chair reviewed and serviced regularly. Dental chairs by their nature take a lot of traffic. Gearing, motors, headrests, covers, pedals etc – all need a careful eye to ensure no surprises during the working clinical day. A checklist with your service engineer can help to identify any potential issues.
2. Materials
We all have (or have had) a drawer full of some “wonder product” that will revolutionise our work life. This can range from ultra slim hi-tech loops to a different matrix band that we only recently discovered(!). Take a peek through the inventory and decide what is useful, what is expired and what you will never use. This will both free up space – and remind you of the arsenal/armamentarium you have at your disposal. This is particularly true of products that you infrequently use.
3. PPE, masks, eye protection
We may still have some disposable gowns and visors from the pandemic. Are they still viable? Eye protection is one that sometimes gets overlooked (all puns intended). Protective eyewear tends to get scratched over time. Be the patient on this one, and pop on the specs; would you feel safe sitting in for a complex restoration if the specs you were handed had huge scratches across the lenses?
4. Emergency drugs
This is an old chestnut. Most practices have a system in place for expiry dates and replenishment schedules. The most up-to-date lists are freely available from your dental association and can be found online. Again, expiration dates and functionality are key here. Have you tested the inhaler to make sure it is working (in case of an asthma attack)?
5. Risk assessments
The concept of risk assessment is to quantify the “What If…?” This should cover as many eventualities as possible – from simple ones like, “What if the power goes out?” to, “What if the surgery floods?” Each practice is advised to consider all aspects of risk – its nature, likelihood and management.
6. Staff training
This is closely related to all the above points. When was the last time the whole surgery team sat together for training? If there is a patient collapse, faint or seizure – would everyone know their role and responsibility? This is true too of fire alarm practice and evacuation policy.
7. General cleanliness and impression
Every surgery is aware that cleanliness and maintenance is essential – not just from a health perspective – but also from the patient’s impression of the practice. A trusted practice builder is to demonstrably show the cleaning rota in a (relatively) prominent place. I’ve observed (in the USA) where they place the cleaning rota and duties, carefully, in the waiting room.
8. Practice what you practice
A novel approach that many patients find a great trust builder is to better understand how their own dental team looks after their own dental health. Again, I’ve observed a catchy poster in one practice – that had a simple chart with each team member’s name and the date of their last check up! It’s the sign of a good culture where everyone “signs up” for this and is a terrific tool for trust building, particularly with nervous patients who attend. It’s also a helpful reminder to us – the clinicians – to pencil in our own checkups! Much like the tailor who works away making suits while wearing a worn out suit themselves, it’s often the case that dentists are often slow to attend for check-ups!
9. Prescriptions, drugs and referral network
The British National Formulary (BNF) is still the main source for informed guidance on current thinking in prescription. It’s available online and is a great resource for new and seasoned practitioners. So too is our referral network and times. A weather eye on patient outcomes, ease of access and timely intervention are some indicators that help decide where to send our patients for more advanced or specialist treatment.
10. Holidays
This may seem a little out of place on a ‘practical’ list – but understanding the importance of time off or time away from surgery is key. This applies to all members of the team – dentists, nurses, auxiliaries, therapists, receptionists, practice managers etc. Weddings, engagements, stag and hen parties, christenings etc all play a part in deciding when to take time off. But, aside from these obvious days away, have you scheduled some time – just for yourself? This applies to all team members. Calendar management, collaboration with the team and being open to work schedule changes are all part of keeping the show on the road.
There are many other areas to consider – but these are my ‘Top Ten’. September can serve as a great ‘reset button’ as routines are re-established after the summer. Use the time wisely – and before you know it, Christmas will be upon us!
