ADA releases practice management guidelines

The ADA has issued its first set of practice management guidelines, titled "Guidelines for Practice Success."

These guidelines are a members-only release, according to a November 11 ADA News story.

"The Council on Dental Practice is committed to providing ADA members with practice management resources, like the Guidelines for Practice Success," said Joseph Unger, DDS, who chaired the council when the concept for the guidelines was first developed, in the article. "Each module will help all members succeed by giving them information and resources that are comprehensive, user-friendly, and based on input from a panel of leading practice management consultants."

The guidelines include information on how dentists can improve the patient experience, along with tips on how to manage administrative and business issues. The Managing Patients module also covers treatment recommendations and patient relations.

Specific topics include the following:

• Patient intake
• Designing a reception area and decorating an office
• Creating cancellation policies
• Handling specialty referrals