Journal of dental practice administration : JDPA : official publication of American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, Organization of Teachers of Dental Practice Administration, American Academy of Dental Group Practice最新文献

Even those children who appear to be difficult to treat can become cooperative through minimal behavior-management procedure. Several techniques will be described using alternative treatment-planning techniques.

In this article the concept of each staff member's role in practice profitability is discussed. Two hundred eighty-seven staff members from a sample of dental practices (N = 50) were surveyed and asked to list which factors negatively affect the profitability of the practice. The survey results correlate directly with seven practice profit centers. The article addresses the seven profit centers, including an examination of the responsibilities, objectives, and indicators relating to each. The specifics of monitoring and employee performance evaluation are considered. In summary, the article discusses the development of the team's role, including the dentist as leader, in the process of practice profitability.

Dental literature has suggested that dentists are particularly vulnerable to health problems due to stress associated with dental practice. However, much of the literature on this subject has been based on anecdotes or opinions rather than systematic research. This study provides current data based on a national sample of 238 dentists. The study compared the degree of stress experienced by male and female dentists and their ability to cope with stress, and then related stress and coping to various somatic and psychologic health problems, workdays missed, and alcohol and drug use. Results indicated that, in general, dentists were reasonably healthy and missed few days of work because of illness. Male and female dentists seemed about equally vulnerable to health problems, although women reported more headaches. Most dentists used alcohol and/or drugs in moderation, but men were more likely to consume alcohol. Both sexes used alcohol more frequently than other drugs.

Records are the backbone of the dentist's defense in any malpractice claim. Cases involving periodontal disease--failure to timely diagnose, failure to adequately treat, and failure to refer--are responsible for a great number of lawsuits against dentists. Since individuals of all ages are susceptible to periodontal disease, all dental records should contain periodontal evaluations data. This article discusses what information should be recorded in order to assist any attorney defending the dentist or, in many instances, how the completeness of such information may deter a plaintiff's attorney from proceeding with a suit. The information recorded should enable the dentist to assess the patient's health, assess the patient's dental status, diagnose any existing periodontal disease, and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. In addition, the record must reflect the consent of the patient to the eventual treatment, the progress notes made during treatment, and completion notes at treatment's end. Finally, the dentist must be made aware of the legality of terminating the doctor/patient relationship and the transfer of records. Complete and accurate records can substantiate proper diagnosis and treatment and/or contributor negligence but poor records may be insufficient to protect even an innocent dentist.

The need for and uses of an instant dental photographic system are described. The marketing applications (internal marketing, patient education, periodontal, and orthodontic) and nonmarketing applications (legal, laboratory communication, and self-evaluation) are discussed.

The intent of the study was twofold. The primary objective was to identify the reasons why patients remain with a practitioner. The secondary objective was to explore a procedure that practitioners could employ to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the way they and their staff interact with patients. The majority of patients indicated that honesty of their dentist was the primary reason that they continued in a dental practice. Patients also cited cleanliness, professional appearance, knowledge of dentistry, gentleness, concern, and quality of work as factors that influenced their decision to stay in a dental practice. The patient survey forms used in this study were designed to be utilized by a private practitioner. The feedback obtained from the survey may be used to improve patient's perceptions and relationship with a dental practitioner.

Given the dramatic changes presently occurring in the practice of dentistry, it was the purpose of this research to examine the outlook held by practicing dentists toward their profession. Through use of a mailed questionnaire, a national sample of general and pediatric dentists was surveyed. A 12-item Likert scale was used to measure dentist outlook. Additionally, dentists responded to questions dealing with conditions of their practice. Respondents were most positive about the professions' accomplishment in reducing caries by promoting the use of fluorides. The majority also felt that decreased time spent providing restorative services would lead to increased time spent providing other services, that greater use of auxiliaries would produce increased income, that the ADA's proposed marketing plan would have a positive effect on the public, and that research findings were relevant to the private practice of dentistry. Three items received negative responses. These items related to the oversupply of dental manpower, the detrimental effects of the increase in competition among dentists, and the decrease in professional autonomy. Additionally, four practice variables were found to be related to dentist outlook. Outlook became more favorable with increasingly more positive income change over the prior year, with increasing numbers of employees, and with increasing practice business. Finally, the longer a dentist had been out of dental school, the more positive his or her outlook was likely to be.

The success of any dental practice depends, among other factors, on the critical role of staff employees. In order to encourage desired staff behaviors, incentive systems can be designed for employee dentists, assistants/hygienists and managers. A survey of dental franchises was conducted in 1987 for the purpose of examining their incentive control systems. The specific incentives employed by these dental franchises for their employees are analyzed. The implications of these incentive systems used by dental franchise organizations for all dental practices are then discussed.