Work Hard.......Play Harder!

"Our minds need relaxation and give way unless we mix with work a little play"  -Molier

We just returned from Longboat Key Florida this week where we combined continuing education with some fun with our doctor and dental team.  We came back to work feeling refreshed and closer as a team and we wanted to share some of our trip with you.

Every morning we attended the Paragon Program's Growth and Profitability seminar. We received great tips on practice management for the whole team as well as products and systems to implement in our practice. We enjoyed guest speaker,Vittorio Borgia, General Manager of Eddie Merlot's in Columbus, Ohio. He stressed the importance of customer service and truly loving what you do.  

The Paragon Program was celebrating their 25th year, so our team participated in a sand sculpture competition where the theme was anything 1986.

 

Our sculpture was from the movie Crocodile Dundee.                  Pecan Sandie Awards were given to all  

We enjoyed great meals together and lot's of shopping in St. Armands Circle. We hammed it up for the camera and got really good group shots.

The last night of our trip Paragon Program hosted a party and all of us went back to 1986! Many of the offices performed skits and we danced the night away.

Getting out of the office and spending some quality time together really makes us appreciate the wonderful people we work with individually and as a group. If you can't take a trip, do something simple- like dinner and get connected with each other. It's so important that we take time for ourselves every once in a while and get refreshed so we can always give our patients our best!

Continuing Education "Do"s & "Don't"s

We returned recently from The Paragon Program's Super Workshop Academy in Ohio. This two day program was geared towards dentists, office managers and dental assistants.

Gina and I were interviewed in the human resources section of the Office Manger Academy. They asked us questions about why we try to go above and beyond, how to be a great dental assistant and how to interview/hire exceptional team members.
Gina was also part of a panel discussion on innovative ideas, continuing education, the value of dental assistants and technology in
the Dental Assisting Academy. We came back with some fresh new ideas and goals to put into practice in our office. Unfortunately, there were some disturbing things we observed in the Dental Assisting Academy that we thought would be a great blog topic.

"Do"s & "Don't"s of Continuing Education 

"Do"s:

• Show up early so that you can find a good seat
• Pay attention to speaker
• Take brief notes-think about what you can apply to yourself or your practice
• Talk to your doctor and dental team about what you learned and how it can benefit your office
• Network with other assistants you meet
• Dress for success! Dress conservatively and look respectable. 

"Don't"s:

• (These are things we actually saw!)

• Don't pull out a mirror and start plucking your eyebrows
• Do crossword puzzles
• Check your Facebook feed 
• Talk out loud during session
• Sleep with your head down on the desk
• Text your friends
• Dress provocatively, showing too much skin or cleavage. 
• Drink excessively or get drunk at dinners or events that may be held during evening hours. 

Having your doctor  include you in continuing education courses is a real privilege. Most of these course are not free. They involve traveling to locations outside your city/state which requires lodging/food expenses. We encourage assistants who want to take their careers "to the next level" to use these continuing education courses as a way to better yourself , your team and your practice. Even if you have been to a similar course, it's always possible to take away new "pearls".

We have shown our doctor that we want to learn  and she has given us the opportunity to travel all over the U.S. and learn from leaders in the dental field.  When you are at a continuing education course, it's important to remember that you're still "on-the-clock" and you are always representing your doctor and your practice. If you take take your position seriously and pursue your career, your doctor will see you as an asset and will be more inclined to include you in future educational opportunities.

Show Someone You Care

We see patients daily in a professional setting and take care of the needs of their mouth, but do we take the time to listen to what's going on in their lives or see how they are feeling after they have had treatment in our office? Making a quick phone call during down-time or sending a card to a patient really makes them feel good and let's them know you care. 

Here are just a few ideas on how to take your patient care to the next level:

1. Make a call to a patient 2 days before a lengthy appointment-

• prepare them for what will take place
• ask them to wear comfortable clothing
• tell them to eat something before the appointment
• have them bring an I-Pod (if you do not provide one)

This call helps to put them at ease and not stress so much the night before.

   2. Call the same patient after that long appointment or the next

       day to see how they are feeling.

   3. After scaling/root planing-call patient to see how they are feeling and

       stress the need for the re-eval appointment and review oral hygiene

       instructions.

   4. If the patient has lost a loved one in death, had a baby, had surgery, etc.

      Send them a card signed by all the staff members.

   5. If the patient had to be referred out of the office for a root canal

      or extraction-call them 1-2 days later and see how they are feeling.

These are just a few ways to show your patients you care. Rather than viewing this as just another thing you have to try to fit into your busy day "share the love"-this is an activity that the whole staff can share in.  

"Everyone will notice.......but no one will know!"

Dr. Cockley is now offering Botox and Juvederm services to our patients who would like to improve their appearance or enhance their natural beauty.

As a dentist, Dr. Cockley has the main advantage of being able to administer anesthetic directly around the patient's mouth so the procedure is virtually pain free.  State laws for certification and administering these products do vary so check with your state for restrictions. Once certified, your doctor can easily add these services into your practice.

How does it work?

Botox works by reducing muscle activity that causes persistent wrinkles to form between the brows, along the forehead, and laugh lines or crows feet along the eyes. 

Juvederm works by bringing back your skin's volume and smoothing away wrinkles and folds. It is commonly used in the nasolabial folds and to plump lips. Patients will see instant results with Juvederm - who doesn't love that?

Though Botox and Juvederm can easily be done within your daily schedule, hosting a "Botox Party" for your patients can be a lot of fun.  There are several advantages of hosting a party - you don't have the sounds of the regular "hustle and bustle" going on in your office, you can create a very relaxing spa-like atmosphere, and patients can bring their friends.  If a patient brings a friend, they may be curious and watch their  procedure. The experience will help them to gain valuable information and they may consider Botox or Juvederm services for themselves in the future.  

"Botox Party" Ideas:

*Send invitations to patients, family, and friends

*Have light refreshments available

*Create a spa atmosphere with candles, flowers, and  soothing music

*Have ice packs and post-op instructions ready

*Dress up! Don't come in your scrubs

*Offer paraffin wax hand treatments to your patients in the reception area

*Have your staff members discuss procedures and answer any questions

*Have your patients fill out applicable consent forms

*Some of your staff should be available in the reception area to chat with your patients and make them feel comfortable while other patients are being seen

*Take before photos - have your patients come back 2-3 weeks later for after photos

Your patients aren't going to know that you are offering these services unless you make it known.  Begin the conversation by telling them about your doctor's latest certification in Botox and Juvederm. Ask your patients if they are interested in learning more, or if they know a friend or family member who is.  Your patients would be more inclined to come to your office to get these procedures done - remember to tell your patients that your doctor will be able to numb the area so they are totally comfortable. Your doctor should also perform these services on staff members - your face will advertise the results your patients may be looking for.

Pamper Your Patients!

Does this sound familiar? You greet your next patient in the reception area with a big smile and a "Hello! How are you today?" - and you're greeted back with a, "I hate coming to the dentist -no offense," "I'd rather be at the gynecologist office," or "Awful! What do you expect? -I'm at the dentist."  

Doesn't that make you feel great?  Let's face it - there aren't too many people that look forward to their dental appointment.  We work in this environment every day and become immune to the sights, sounds, and smells.  We can easily forget what it's like for our patients until it's our turn to be one. 

Paraffin hand treatment station

Our job is to break down that barrier and create an environment where our patients have a relaxing, enjoyable experience.  Create that "new patient" experience for everyone - each time they enter your office.  There are many economical and affordable services that you can offer your patients to create a spa-like experience. Whether your patient is fearful, stressed, a busy mom or dad rushing in, or someone who's had a long work day - everyone loves to be pampered and they are going to love you for it!

We regularly offer our patients:

Anxiety-free dental appointment

*Heated, aromatherapy neck wraps  and eye/forehead pillow 

*Headphones

*Paraffin wax hand treatments

*Memory foam chair cushions with knee and lumbar pillows

*Scented aromatherapy candles

*Sunglasses, and blankets

Stand Out! - Add Kids' Day to Your Dental Practice

Dr. Cockley as a Lifeguard

Although Dr. Cockley does excellent cosmetic dentistry in our practice, family dentistry is a priority.  We cater to the youngest of our patients by having a "Kids' Day" four times per year.  This day is geared toward children age eight and younger and gives them a fun, positive experience in the dental office.

Each Kids' Day has it's own party theme and our entire staff dresses in costumes.  There are prizes, decorations, and lots of pictures being taken to make it a special day.  Because children in this age group can be seen in a relatively short period of time, Kids' Day frees up the hygiene schedule for adult appointments and keeps your schedule more consistent.  On average, in an eight hour day, we see 60-80 children.

Amber and Gina - Beach Day

How do we do it?

*Schedule your first Kids' Day when most children will be off school for a holiday - this also makes things more convenient for parents. 

*Make and send personalized invitations to each child - one week prior to their appointment ( the children love getting mail personally addressed to them)

*Put up all decorations the night before, if possible

*All operatories in the practice are used for hygiene that day

*Assistants seat each patient, update x-rays, and sit with patient until the next hygienist is available

*Hygienists move from room to room as needed, doing child prophies

*Dr. Cockley performs exam and applies the fluoride varnish

Pirates and Princesses Theme

*Assistant walks patient to the front desk and informs the patient's parent of any further treatment needed

*When not with a patient, assistants continuously "flip" rooms and sterilize instruments



*We also have small routing slips that we print just for that day to keep track of services provided, and any added notes that need to be recorded in the patient's chart

*Hygienists record chart notes at the end of the day or next day and refer back to the routing slips

*We consider children age three and younger a "happy visit" and do not charge them for this visit

Party Ideas:
*We find affordable decorations and prizes at orientaltrading.com and partycheap.com

*Have an area designated for parents, where you offer water, tea, coffee and snacks

*Make prize bags ahead and include hygiene supplies and a prize

Pajama Party Theme

*Hire a "balloon slinger" to make creative balloon animals and keep the kids entertained

*Or - Hire an artist to do face painting

*Take lots of photos throughout the day - the kids love seeing their photos displayed in the office at their next visit

Amber, Gina, and Christa

 - Kids' Day is also a great way to gain new patients.  Many parents hear about our Kids' Days from their friends and schedule their children for their first visit.  Many end up becoming new patients themselves because they had a great experience with their children.

 - Let your local newspaper know about your upcoming Kids' Day - they may write up an article about your office.  It's great free advertising. 

Don't ever say, " I'm just a dental assistant."

You may be wondering how this blog could be useful to you or how you could benefit from reading our posts or actively participating by giving us feedback. We want to clarify our purpose for creating this blog.  There are numerous resources out there for dentists and hygienists to network and share ideas with each other for things that do and don't work in their practices.  Sadly, there are practically no resources for assistants.  We are an important part of the dental team and equally need to network and support each other to lead a productive and satisfying career in the dental field.

Dental assisting is anything but boring! It would be boring if all you're doing is suctioning spit!  If you're bored as an assistant, we want you to ask yourself why.  Think about what roles and responsibilities you could take on to challenge yourself and help make your doctor happy and  the practice as a whole become more productive. Your role as an assistant is much more important than just suctioning and assisting your doctor during restorative procedures.  You are the one person in the practice who really knows your doctor best.  You spend the most time with him/her by working side-by-side - all day, everyday.  If you're good at what you do, they know and appreciate that.  But now it's time to take it a step further. 

Is your doctor making the temporary crowns for your patients?  Is he or she the one to discuss and present treatment plans to your patients?  Who is doing the whitening procedures in your office?  If the answer is your doctor - why?  Each of you is fully capable of doing each of these tasks.  Depending on your state's laws, if you are an EFDA (expanded function dental assistant), you could be placing direct restorations and sealants.  There are so many roles we play as a dental assistant and we want to reveal those in detail to you in the near future.  Taking on these responsibilities will alleviate stress on your doctor, free up your schedule, allow your practice to become more profitable, possibly increase your paycheck, and most importantly, you will have more fun at work!

So remember, you're not "just a dental assistant."  We have the advantage of having a close relationship with our doctor and our patients.  As we continue to post information, please share your comments and your helpful hints.  Through our different experiences and dental education, we all have something to share and learn from each other.