HCD Headlines 1-19-21

Welcome to another fun week at HCD. I can feel it in my bones that this is the week for accomplishing tasks we've put off for a long time and for making new friends. How about you? Let's get started with our headlines...

Periodontal Charting

This photo was too good to not share. Periodontal charting is major part of our standard of care at HCD. A thorough periodontal charting must be recorded annually. These records are used for various purposes including monitoring pocket health and progression or regression of periodontal health. There have been several times when insurance has requested a charting and the only one we have on file is anywhere from 2-3 years old. Sometimes this works, but a majority of times, it does not. It does not work because insurance doesn't accept it... more importantly we can't accept it. We must have an annual charting on every patient to maintain our standard as "committed professionals" to help ensure we have "healthy patients." Make time for this important step in your treatment and accept nothing less of yourself or your team. Together we can be supportive and uplifting of one another to ensure this vital task is completed annually.

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2 Perio Chart or Not 2 Perio Chart

When do we start perio charting in our practice? Anyone? Bueller... Bueller... That's right! As soon as adult dentition is present and the hygienist has changed the preventative code from D1120 to D1110. Once that patient has crossed the threshold into adulthood via insurance codes, we must start perio charting. Don't be hesitant to ask your team to help with a charting!

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End of Day in the Clinic

We may not leave the "lights on" but we are leaving equipment on throughout the clinic. Remember our equipment needs its beauty sleep just like our team members. Turning the x-rays heads, chairs, CEREC, heaters, fans, pano machine, vacuum, compressor, computers (restart all of them), water (yes, it was left on one night), and whatever else comes with an off switch will help conserve energy. It will release the pressure built up in the chairs; it will prevent overheating on the motherboards; it will prevent fires from overloaded circuits; it will allow you to have a better day knowing you and your equipment slept well the night before. Let's remember to take another minute to walk through the clinic before we clock out to make sure these things are turned off. Mind you... if you're leaving before everyone else, don't turn anything off that they're using.

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Finishing Our Goals

This Thursday we are going to finish reviewing and setting our goals for 2021. Remember to bring your pen and your ideas for team trainings. Also please come with some stretchy pants as we might do some Pilates... if Leah is willing to lead the class.