Question

1. Clinical assistants in the dental office have various levels of education and credentials. The dentist uses them all to perform the same types of tasks. The credentialed assistants have asked the doctor not to assign specific tasks to the non-credentialed assistants as this is a violation of the state dental practice act. As the administrative assistant, the clinical assistants have asked you to clarify this assignment.

1. How do you locate the state dental practice act?

2. What should the dentist do to rectify this situation once the duties are clarified?  

1. What are some tips for successful records Management?

2. Explain the use of email in the dental office and the importance of applying common business etiquette to the use of email.

3. What are the characteristics of effective correspondence?

5.. What are the various types of written communication in a dental office?

Answer 1

Answer:

How do you locate the state dental practice act?

The state dental practice act would be located according to the jurisdiction in which the dental clinic has been set up. For example, if the dental clinic comes under the jurisdiction of California then the state dental practice act of California would be applicable to the clinic.

What should the dentist do to rectify this situation once the duties are clarified?  

Dentist should separate the tasks and roles of credentialed assistants and non-credentialed assistants and should not mix their roles. Dentist should then assign the duties according to the skills of the employees.

What are some tips for successful records Management?

Some of the tips for successful record management are:

1. Carefully correct mistakes or omissions in patient records.

2. Document any refusal of treatment

3. Proofread entries.

4. Keep the data confidential

5. Exercise caution when using e-mail.

Explain the use of email in the dental office and the importance of applying common business etiquette to the use of email.

Emails in the dental office can be used for the comfort ability of the patients. It allows patients to book their appointments and assist dentist in sharing the prescription or diagnosis to the patients. However, it also poses a threat of maintaining confidentiality. Dentist should particularly take care while replying to the mail as it should not be directed to any of the third party while replying back.

What are the characteristics of effective correspondence?

Characteristics of effective correspondence include conciseness of the message, completeness of the message, message should be clear, and it should be considerate and checked before being sent to the recipient.

What are the various types of written communication in a dental office?

The types of written communication included in a dental office are thank you notes for referral of patients, letters of appreciation, birthday or holiday greetings, congratulatory letters, sympathy messages, patient transfer letters or letters of consultation, recall notices, collection letters, order letters and newsletters.