Tips for avoiding negligent referrals

Negligent referral is a type of allegation that might be used in dental malpractice lawsuits. This allegation attempts to impose liability on the referring doctor for a poor outcome that may have been associated with work performed by a specialist. Adequate documentation may help prevent or defuse a negligent referral allegation. Every dentist should have… Continue Reading Tips for avoiding negligent referrals

Dental hygienists and lasers

Q: Can a hygienist use the laser for scaling and root planing patients when the dentist is not on the premises? A: The Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board does not define the tools used for treatment within statute and a laser would be considered the tool being used in conjunction with scaling and root planing. After… Continue Reading Dental hygienists and lasers

What’s inside your WDA 2016 Sourcebook?

The 2016 Wisconsin Dental Association Sourcebook (Member Directory and Practice Guide) mailed out to members earlier this year. This valuable, desktop reference is used year-round by WDA members. Here are five things in the WDA Sourcebook you want to make sure you are using: Member directory – Five listings provide contact information for active dentists,… Continue Reading What’s inside your WDA 2016 Sourcebook?

Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition to host five regional meetings across Wisconsin

WOHC will be hosting meetings throughout Wisconsin to identify assets and barriers to oral health care in each of five public health regions. The purpose is to foster collaborative relationships in local communities, share best practices, identify strategies and discuss a variety of workforce models in place across the country. Meetings will be held: Northeastern… Continue Reading Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition to host five regional meetings across Wisconsin

OSHA training for dental offices – “The OSHA Show”

The following course fulfills the Occupational Safety and Health Administration bloodborne pathogen standard, new chemical hazard communication standard and meets the infection control continuing education requirements (three CE credits) needed for Wisconsin dentist and dental hygienist licensure. Sponsor: Dental Express Staffing, LLC Speaker: Nan Dreves, RDH, MBA and president of Professional Health Horizons Location: Dental Clinic of… Continue Reading OSHA training for dental offices – “The OSHA Show”

Who’s answering the phone? Why telephone polices are important

Staff members who answer the telephone are a valuable asset to any dental practice. They serve as the “front line” of communication and make an important first impression on behalf of the practice and its doctors. They may also be the first to identify a patient who has an urgent or emergent condition — one… Continue Reading Who’s answering the phone? Why telephone polices are important

ADA Medicare and Prescription Drug Coverage webinar highlights

On Tuesday, April 12, the American Dental Association held a webinar reviewing Medicare and the three options available to dentists so Medicare patients can continue receive their prescriptions drug coverage. The recording of the webinar can be viewed by ADA/WDA members online at: https://success.ada.org/en/practice/medicare/medicare/medicare-and-part-d-webinar Additional resources are also available through the ADA Center for Professional… Continue Reading ADA Medicare and Prescription Drug Coverage webinar highlights

Providing patients with Protected Health Information

With changes to the Privacy Rule and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements, many dental offices question how and when they are required to provided their patients with Protected Health Information (PHI) when they request it. In general, covered entities are required to provide PHI to a patient if the record is: Maintained by… Continue Reading Providing patients with Protected Health Information

Government audits to begin… Are you HIPAA compliant?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights will be begin phase two of audits of covered entities which includes dental offices. While a dental practice would be considered a “covered entity” if they use an electronic claims solution with a third party, using electronic claims is not the only thing… Continue Reading Government audits to begin… Are you HIPAA compliant?