Dental practice management can be incredibly complex. Not only do you have to worry about the day-to-day operations of your office. You also need to consider patient and employee satisfaction, HIPAA compliance, insurance coding, and the many federal and state healthcare laws. That’s why dental office management can sometimes leave you with more questions than answers. 

Fortunately, we are here to take the confusion out of management. The team at Dental Practice Enhancement has decades of experience in dental administration. We provide clinical and administrative training specifically for dental professionals. We even offer virtual dental office management to take the pressure off of your team and to enhance patient experience. 

Still have questions about dental office management or wanting to learn more about our services? Contact Dental Practice Enhancement today.

I manage a very small practice. Do I still need an employee handbook?

Employee handbooks are not legally mandatory, but every business really should have one. For one thing, handbooks help to establish your office culture and mission, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Handbooks also lay out, in writing, certain important policies, such as an Equal Employee Opportunity statement, worker’s compensation, employee rights, and office protocol. This can help prevent confusion and even possible legal action in the future. 

Do I have to give all employees the same benefits package?

No, all employees do not have to have the same benefits. However, be very certain that you are awarding benefits based on legitimate employment-based reasons. For example, seniority and experience are valid reasons to give some employees extra benefits. Further, employees with similar experience and backgrounds should all receive similar benefits. 

I have an employee who is on maternity leave, and I have an outstanding sub in her place. Do I have to reinstate my employee’s old position when she returns?

Yes. Under the FMLA (Family Leave and Medical Act), there are a very few limited circumstances in which an employee on maternity leave may be denied her former position. However, the situation you describe is not one of them. If you can afford it, you can hire your sub as a permanent employee. But you must also restore your employee to her previous job.

My front office team is totally overwhelmed. How can I cut down on their workload and still maintain a great practice?

There are many ways to improve efficiency in a dental office, from better inter-office communication to running more concise team meetings. At Dental Practice Enhancement, we offer practice and team empowerment training that can help you manage time and improve employee satisfaction. 

If you feel that the problem is deeper – perhaps you are understaffed or your administrative team is in over their heads – consider outsourcing your dental administration. When you work with us, we can tackle every aspect of dental office management, including billing, insurance, collections calls, hygiene recall, and more.  

Contact Us to Learn More about Dental Office Management 

For more answers to your management questions or to learn more about our services, contact our experts. Reach us online or call (833) DPE – FOR – U.