Dental patient information, both written in the chart and verbal, is absolutely confidential. Practice and dentist’s business affairs are also to be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The above subjects should not be discussed outside of the office. Office matters must be kept in the office. Some government regulations also restrict release of any information about a patient to members of the public or press, other professionals, pharmacies, family, friends, etc. without the patient's specific authorization. These regulations generally cover information such as the patient’s name, age, address, sex, nature of illness or injury, general condition, etc. When discussing confidential matters...

Based on a 2015 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling, office manuals or handbooks can't have overly broad prohibitions on employee use of cell phones. Besides which, if you feel you can't treat your staff like adults, that's a bigger problem. That being said, there is nothing wrong with issuing a simple and sane cell phone policy just as you might do for a dress code, calling in sick, vacations, PTO, etc.  If you feel you need a cell phone policy here is my recommendation: CELL PHONES Cell phone use (including texting, checking Facebook, etc.) should only occur during breaks or meal periods...

While it is important to understand what is unacceptable conduct for your dental staff, it is equally important to understand what is “acceptable conduct” in a dental practice so you can concentrate on the positive not the negative.  In order to create a positive working environment I encourage you and your staff to practice the following code as much as possible: 1. Ensure patients have your full interest, receive top quality care, and feel valued. 2. Exceed patients’ expectations for treatment, communications and office experience. 3. Be courteous and considerate toward patients and fellow staff. 4. Conduct yourself in an honest,...

Groups of people who work together for any purpose require guidelines. The same is true for the management of your dental practice. The purpose of these guidelines is to improve staff relationships and to enhance production. They are to be enforced in a constructive manner. It is important to clearly define and make these guidelines available in writing to all your staff as part of your dental employee handbook. That way your staff become familiar with what is expected. Disciplinary action then becomes predictable and not based on opinion or bias. Violation of acceptable conduct may result in one or more...