Dental Compliance Doesn't Matter Until It Matters. Then It Matters BIG TIME.

When you’re in the midst of a busy day in your dental office, the details are the things that you typically let slide, right? But in the dental business, it’s the details that keep you on track and it’s the details that protect your office from huge fines and your Doctor from losing her licenses. This episode highlights some of the things I’ve seen recently that I think all dental office workers need to have top-of-mind. If you don’t take these things seriously, you’re going to have issues eventually.

Online training or in-person training? Which do you need?

Every dental office is going to be required to do Continuing Education from year to year. BLS, ACLS, and PALS are common certifications that need to be upgraded. Many times, compliance teams do their training through “approved” course providers through an online course. That’s OK, but you can’t assume that because it says “approved” or “certified” that it’s truly that across the board. Your STATE may have additional requirements that the course provider is not aware of. For example, for some of the CE requirements, you can do the didactic part online and the testing part online. But you must have a hands-on, in-person evaluation of skills to finish up the CE credit. Don’t get caught out of compliance because you didn’t finish a course as was required. If you discover that’s the case for you, simply fix the issue as soon as possible.

Office Inspections: Things I’m seeing that you should consider

As I do reviews at offices to help them get ready for State Board Inspections, I come across a variety of things that are of concern and should be addressed. One of the most common points where I’m finding errors recently is the Pre-Op Sedation/Anesthesia Checklist. State inspectors are fanatical about the form and want it to be used without exception. The title on your form must be exactly that: Pre-Op Sedation/Anesthesia Checklist. There is a lot of information on that form that is required to be ON the checklist. You will fail your sedation review if that is not the case. These are little things you need to make sure are properly in place to pass the inspection. You don’t want to be embarrassed or look bad in front of the board. If you are not 150% sure on your checklist, send me a copy and I’ll send you input on what you are missing (if anything).

Compliance around drugs is a huge issue I’m seeing of late

We all know there are compliance regulations in force surrounding the topic of expired drugs. But lately, I’ve come across offices that have terrible problems in this area. Many offices have their checklists but they are not accurate or up to date. In one situation I encountered, the NEWEST expiration date on drugs in their facility was dated 2016. That’s so problematic! You MUST be up to date by removing expired drugs from the premises, and by keeping accurate records. You’re playing a risky game if you’re not taking compliance issues like this seriously. Don’t just check the boxes on the forms, pay close attention to the reality of you drug inventory. Protect yourself and your patients. It doesn’t matter until it matters, and then it matters big time! 

Why office inspections are powerfully helpful for your dental practice

The beauty of what I do and how I do it is that I’m able to do office inspections as a neutral 3rd party. That means I’m able to be entirely objective because I am not tied to the outcome in any way. I’m not so close that I can’t see the issues. This helps me identify what needs to be fixed, help the staff fix the issues, and move on. It really is that simple. There’s no need for panic or concern because you find something of concern. Just call and I’ll come out and assess everything, give you my recommendations, and point you in the right direction to fix any compliance issues I find.

Quotes for this episode:

“If you continue to think the way you’ve alway thought, you’ll continue to get what you’ve always got.” - Kevin Trudeau

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” - John Wesley 

Outline of This Episode [3:58] Continuing Education requirements - changes, updates, clarifications [10:35] Office reviews and concerns that I’m seeing as I do these reviews [18:05] Best-practices for Dental office reviews (the article is linked below) [25:15] The quotes we’ve found helpful this past week Resources & People Mentioned

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