Headlines 5-17-21

Hello, HCD! We have lots of vacations and other outings coming up for the rest of May. Please make sure to check your schedule to see when you're scheduled to come in. If you are in need of more hours but not scheduled, please see me to discuss opportunities for special projects in order to make your time productive.

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OSHA/HIPAA Compliant Operatories

Quick review for the team in regards to being OSHA and HIPAA compliant in our operatories.

• Food: No food is allowed in the operatories. As you know, aerosols continue to fall once the procedure is completed for up to 30 minutes to two hours. Do not take the risk and eat your food in the operatories. The consult room is available if you would like to eat while you do your chart notes. Just remember to clean up after yourself.

• Drink: No open drinks are allowed in the operatories. The only drink allowed in the operatory is the one with a sealed top and that can fit in your upper cabinet. This will prevent spills from contaminating or destroying supplies or equipment. It will also prevent cross-contamination of aerosols that will fall onto your bottle when it's exposed to the open air.

• Phones: At HCD, we ask that our team members hold themselves accountable for their phones. This includes no texting or phones calls in front of patients or even taking out the cell phone while a patient is in the operatory. We want to avoid even the appearance of a HIPAA violation.

  • If you have your phone with you at the front or back, you must have it on vibrate or silent. If you are waiting for an emergency phone call or text, inform myself or the doctors so we know why you have your phone turned on.

  • You are not allowed to text or email patients from your personal phones or emails as this is a direct violation of HIPAA. Many of you are friends with your patients and conversations can cross over into dentistry. Just know that texts and emails serve as a recording of their PHI (personal health information) and is stored on your phone. Your phone now becomes a liability if the phone were lost or stolen as the patient's PHI is on your unencrypted phone. There are apps like Mango that work in conjunction with our phone system and database. When you use this system, the messages you send are encrypted thereby making your phone HIPAA compliant.

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Mixing Products

There was a concern expressed regarding mixing cleaners in our operatories. As you know, the pandemic has caused backorders for many of the supplies we typically use. There was also a time when we could only order what was available which led to random cleaners and sprays. Please note that if you have two types of cleaners in your room, in order for them to be effective, you must follow the guidelines with that material.

For example, if you have CaviSpray and Sani-cloth wipes, you cannot use the spray and then wipe the room down with the wipes right after. You must wait for the correct amount of time. You cannot use both materials as you can run into the problem of mixing hazardous chemicals that may or may not cause a reaction and may or may not actually disinfect the operatory as they may cancel each other out.

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Is This Disposable?

We all want to turn our rooms over quickly which can lead to accidentally discarding important items that can be reused. Please be mindful when you're turning over your operatory that you keep a close eye out for the following:

• Pure-Vac tips

• Hygiene handpiece adaptors/nose cone

• Airway syringes

• Isolite attachments (grey piece)

• CleanUp HVE straw (for Hg removal)

Your watchful eye will help keep supply costs low and allow for more fun at the practice!

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Dental Code: D6080 Implant Maintenance Procedures

Direct from Dr. Charles Blair:

This procedure includes active debriding of the implant(s) and examination of all aspects of the implant system(s)... The patient is also instructed in thorough daily cleansing of the implant(s). This is not a per implant code, and is indicated for implant supported fixed prostheses.

D6080 includes cleaning of the implant(s) and the removable appliance connected to them. If the person doesn't have implant insurance coverage, this will most likely NOT be covered by insurance. We can submit a narrative asking for alternate benefit of a prophylaxsis (D1110) .

When using this code, please include a narrative stating the appliance was removed, inspected, cleaned, and reinserted. To make it easier for use, the wording in red has been placed in the procedure code note. With a push of the button, this will show up in your insurance claims.

At this time, we will use this code for edentulous patients only. In the future, we may look into combining this will patients that have a combination of natural dentition and prosthetics.