Students will utilize the concepts in this course to act as a dental hygienist in private practice and they will plan out a practice for themselves to work at alongside a dentist and expanded function dental assistant, including office design, a system for inventory, and a plan for scheduling treatment of patients. Students will be required to make a plan designing a section in the office procedural manual on practice goals and objectives, and will need to discuss a plan for patient retention. Students will describe what state they will practice in and what their duties and scope of practice are in this state. Specific questions to answer for this project will be posted.
Final Paper Instructions:
Please answer the following questions in the attached document in 5-6 pages, not including your reference list. Please utilize a minimum of 4 evidence-based citations in APA format.
Please reach out with any questions/concerns.
1. Design your dream dental business office space and equipment you would like to use.
There will be two assistants and dentists working in this office at all times. How many
treatment rooms would you like, and why? How can you design your office to reflect an open and welcoming atmosphere, and how can your office be accommodating to persons with disabilities? Is there anything in particular you can do to make it more comfortable for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (elaborate)?
2. Using online purchases or local office supply stores, estimate the cost of furnishing this
dental business office you have designed with moderately priced equipment. This should
include all major items such as the computer, intercom system, printer, and fax machine.
You may do a single-line item to include supplies and disposables.
3. Take time to search for an effective inventory system for the dental office. Consider the systems recommended in the textbook or search the Internet. Once you have determined an effective system, determine how this could be integrated into a dental office. Can you determine the cost effectiveness of such a system? List the pros and cons to the systems you have chosen. Describe how each member of the dental team should be responsible
for inventory management.
4. Consider all the treatment that is offered in the dental office and, using the various types
of appointments typically scheduled in an office, integrate a plan for scheduling treatment for you as a dental hygienist. Determine if any expanded duties are allowed in your state (including dental assistants or hygienists which can be found on ADHA’s website), and then integrate this type of treatment into an appointment scheduling system for yourself.
5. The dentist is new to the practice and has asked your input on designing a section in the office procedural manual on practice goals and objectives. She has suggested two of you might work together but asks if you would create an outline with some suggested
objectives and policies that might be included. She has stated that her basic philosophy is
“to provide quality patient care in an environment that is comfortable for patients, as well as stress free for the dental staff.” In addition, she has indicated that she wants to create
an atmosphere that promotes teamwork among the staff so that there is no friction among
the employees. With this philosophy in mind, what are some objectives and policies that
might be included in an outline to promote this practice success?
6. What is your plan for patient retention and appointment reminders?