When it comes to patient safety not all dental offices maintain the same standard, in fact I find the majority of dental offices I come into contact with for the first time meet government standards which happen to be the very minimum.  However once I introduce the ideology of “Patient Compliant” and the methodology for achieving “Excellence in Patient Safety and Infection Control” most offices rise to the challenge.

What is Patient Compliant?

Establishing and maintaining a patient safety standard that far exceeds government standards. Many whom embrace mediocrity will think it is unnecessary and is “overkill”. To others patient and staff safety is paramount and not an option.

What is Excellence in Patient Safety and Infection Control?

Commitment to Patient Compliant – The standard of the office must be to deliver to every patient the highest quality of care at the highest level of safety no matter what it takes or no matter what the cost. This means surpassing the requirements that are set by government agencies like Consumer Affairs, Dental Board, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health Services and OSHA. The attitude of the staff is to keep moving the bar higher and never, never, never settle for less!

Commitment to Excellence – It means that every member of the staff fosters a burning desire to add value in everything they do and focus only on results. They have the willingness to become experts in the prevention of cross contamination and accept that their success is their responsibility.

Commitment to Dentistry – Make no mistake, Dentistry is hardcore healthcare and with potential exposure to diseases like Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and H1N1 Flu just to name a few, there is no room for amateurs. Today Dental Professionals must know more in order to do more therefore are committed to ongoing education and skill development. They recognize that they must invest in themselves in order to help others. They are in it not for the money but for the people they serve.

Being Exceptional is Real – Keep this in mind – I have been in these offices checking out every nook and cranny, I have seen the evidence of the staff’s work practices and the result of their hard work and dedication, this isn’t an over the phone “1-800 whatever dentist, I can only tell you what is on my computer screen” thing, it’s real life in the trenches action. Bottom line, take it from a guy who is known to be tough-as-nails when it comes to patient safety, the dental offices I call “Exceptional” are the dental offices where I would go to get my dental care done period.

Tom Terry

Looking for an “Exceptional Dental Office” in your city? – Just go to the “Categories” pull down menu located to your right and locate your city from the menu.

The mindset for dentistry is on OSHA where it should be on the Dental Board of California which is under Consumer Affairs. I am amazed to find dental offices focused on issues like labeling and MSDS binders more than sterilization and infection control. It is clear that the dental professional needs to become more aware as to what they must know and do regarding patient safety. Patient safety is paramount and it must be delivered consistently but only can be achieved when everyone is on the right page armed with the right knowledge. The Table of Permitted Duties and the Dental Board Infection Control Regulations is a good place to start! Visit the Dental Board’s websites: www.dbc.ca.gov

Cosmetic, Endodontics and General Dentistry – located at 14137 Tyler St., Walnut Grove CA, 95690, Phone: 916.776.2131

Dr. John Noe and his team of Dental Professionals maintain a modern Patient Compliant office that is spacious and on the cutting edge of dentistry. “Excellence in Patient Safety and Infection Control” is the cornerstone of this fine office!

Visit Dr. Noe’s website: www.noefeardental.com

When it comes to dental compliance do you listen to those who know or do you listen to those who sell?

When choosing a seminar or compliance service you should select on the bases of getting quality how-to information from an expert, the kind of information and expertise that produces results and moves your office forward. Stop listening to those who sell gimmicks and produce nothing but BS.  This choice will cost you many times over in fines, citations, and litigation. Remember these two life teachings – “if it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t” and “you get what you paid for”

Q:  Do I need a Medical Waste Generator Permit even if I have an EPA number?

A:  YES – based upon the Medical Waste Management Act, most if not all counties in California require healthcare businesses that generate medical waste, i.e., sharps, biohazard wastes, etc., be registered with the Dept. of Health Services division of Environmental Health in the county which the practice is located.  A “Medical Waste Generator Permit” which has nothing to do with the EPA permit, will be issued once the registration process is completed.  Determine if a permit has been issued, if not, contact the Dept. of Health Services division of Environmental Health in your county (government pages of telephone book) and request an application packet.

Specializing in Pediatric and Special Needs Dental Care – located at 1500 Grant Ave., Suite 100A, Novato CA, 94945, Phone: 415.897.5566

Dr. Neidre Banakus, Dan Banakus and their Professional Dental Team provides a “children friendly” modern office that is truly Patient Compliant. “Excellent in Patient Safety and Infection Control” is not only paramount but the foundation of this fine office and should be etched or crayoned on the door!

Visit their website: www.thesmilingturtle.com

Q: Should my hygienists attend your seminar, they feel it is unnecessary since they get OSHA training at their other office they work at.

A: I wonder what your hygienists tell the employer at the other office they work at???

There is a lot more to dental compliance than OSHA, in my seminar OSHA is only 5% of the material I present.. I am amazed why dentist leave out key employees in meetings, trainings or seminars then think their office is compliant and everyone is on the same page as a “team”. I am also amazed why dentists allow their hygienists to refuse to follow policies & procedures or do things their way – are they not EMPLOYEES and are you not the EMPLOYER, get it?

Hygienists, why do you feel that you are above everyone else in the office and that there is nothing new to learn because you have infinite intelligence? How do you expect to contribute to the standard of the office and be a team player when you are not even close to being on the right page?

Now before I start getting a ton of hate email let me clear something up, my comments ARE NOT directed to ALL hygienists, I have worked with some of the greatest hygienists in the profession, these people in my mind are TRUE healthcare professionals of the highest caliber, they know who they are and they make-up only 2% of the hygienists population.

Bottom line, in order to be a Patient Compliant office that provides “Excellence in Patient Safety and Infection Control” every member of the team MUST be pulling in the same direction. Every member must add value to what they do, be able to teach others by example and themselves be teachable.

Q. Recently my office was inspected by OSHA as a result I received several fines; two were regarding my compliance manual.  The OSHA inspector said my manual was missing several written plans, was outdated and too general. I had purchased the manual a month ago from the company who picks up my hazardous waste.  I contacted the company and told them what the inspector had said, their reply was they did not have manuals specifically for a dental office.  Can we purchase the right compliance manual from your company?

A. YES – I only write compliance manuals for dental offices, email me and I will provide you with the details – tom@tomterryseminars.com

Only 2% of dentists will put patient and employee safety before profits – it’s a real shame! Maybe it’s time for the rest to look at another career!

Q: Why would the Dental Board want to inspect my office and if I am not there is my staff required to let the inspector conduct their inspection?

A: In most cases when an inspector from the Dental Board visits an office they are following-up on a compliant filled by a patient or staff member. There are other reasons why a dental office is inspected by the Dental Board like licensing issues, random compliance inspection, field audits, etc. The Dental Board inspectors have the authority given to them by regulations to inspect your office anytime during business hours.  The regulations do not specify that owners, managers, partners, etc. must be present during the inspection. By the way, based on the make-up of regulations the Dental Board has more regulations requirements for dental offices than OSHA!

When it comes to Patient Safety there are three classifications for dental offices – 1. Safe, 2. Think You’re Safe, 3. Not Even Close!

Patient safety shouldn’t  be a guessing game, your office is either Patient Compliant or not!