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Practice Management

 
  Overview
  CELL Seminar Series (Link will take you to Education and Testing Section of ADA.org)
  Practice Management Resources
  Practice Management Programs
  Dental Team Resources and Activities (Updated 08/17/09)
  Dentist Health and Wellness
  Council on Dental Practice (CDP)
  Practice Management and Allied Dental Personnel Resources Web Sites
 


Overview

Almost three-quarters of all dentists choose to become solo business owners. For you as a small business owner, the ADA continually develops a wide variety of resources. These are a few of the practice management topics members tell us they need help with—starting, structuring, designing, staffing, managing, growing, transitioning, selling and closing your practice. The Council has also developed resources for associating, emergency preparedness, disaster planning and recovery, health and wellness—in other words, all the non-clinical aspects of running your practice.

Not sure which of these resources addresses your specific question? Or are you intimidated by the overwhelming task of starting a practice? Give us call at the toll free ADA number, x2895 or send us an e-mail at dentalpractice@ada.org.

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Practice Management Resources

ADA Catalog Products: Practice Management Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.
  • Associateships: A Guide for Owner and Prospective Associates
  • Fast-Track Training: The Basics for Dental Staff
  • Basic Training II: for New Clinical Personnel
  • Basic Training III: for Dental Administrative Personnel
  • CEO Crash Course: A Dentist's Guide to Practice Leadership
  • Dental Office Design: A Guide to Building, Remodeling and Relocating
  • Employee Office Manual: A Guide for the Dental Practice
  • Frequently Asked Legal Questions: A Guide for Dentists and the Dental Team (members only)
  • Practice Options for the New Dentist: A Financial Guide
  • Protecting Your Dental Office from Fraud and Embezzlement
  • Smart Hiring: A Guide for the Dental Office
  • Starting Your Dental Practice: A Complete Guide
  • Transitions: Navigating Sales, Associateships & Partnerships in Your Dental Practice
  • Valuing a Practice: A Guide for Dentists

ADA Catalog Products: Marketing

  • Dental Letters Made Easy
  • Develop a Dynamic Web Site for Your Practice
  • Multicultural Communication in the Dental Office
  • Periodontal Screening and Recording
  • The Power of Customer Service
  • The Power of Internal Marketing
  • The Ultimate Dental PR Kit

    Go to ADA Catalog

Council of Dental Practice Products
There are 3 ways to order the products below:
- Complete and mail or fax the order form (address and fax number on form)
- Call the ADA Toll Free Number, x2895 or 312-440-2895

  • Guide to Closing a Dental Practice | PDF file/454k Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.
  • Dental Abbreviations, Symbols and Acronyms | PDF file/466k Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.
  • Dental Records | PDF file/315k Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.
  • Emergency Planning & Disaster Recovery in the Dental Office
  • General Guidelines for Development of Mutual Aid Agreements in Dentistry | PDF file/39k Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.
  • General Guidelines for Referring Dental Patients


  • Marketing Resources: Set includes the following:
  • Marketing Resources Guide
  • Surveys for the Dental Practice

    Practice Management Guidelines: Set includes the following:
  • Communicating Infection Control to Your Patients
  • Establishing a Dental Placement Service
  • Flexible Benefit Plans In A Dental Office
  • General Guidelines for Developing Business Plans
  • General Guidelines for Written Employment Agreements Between Dentists & Employees
  • Informed Consent and the Law Article
  • Resources for On-the-Job Training of Dental Assistants

Survey Research on Dentistry: Dental Practice

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Practice Management Programs

CELL Seminar Series Program

  • Practice Management and Clinical Programs

Online Continuing Education (CE) for Dentists and Team Members

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Dental Team Resources and Activities

Certified Dental Technicians 25th, 35th and 45th Year of Service
Today's dentists work closely with their dental laboratory technicians to provide the best prosthetic treatment for patients. As part of its mission, the Council on Dental Practice wishes to highlight the significant contributions that Certified Dental Laboratory Technicians have made to the progress of the profession. Again this year, the ADA, working with assistance from the National Association of Dental Laboratories, is recognizing those CDTs celebrating their 25th, 35th and 45th anniversary of certification. This is acknowledged each year in a memo and certificate from the ADA President. Below are documents containing the names and addresses of these technicians who were part of the 2009 recognition.

Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW)
The 2010 DARW will be held March 7–13. It gives dental offices the opportunity to show their support for the team concept and to recognize and honor dental assistants. This annual event is co-sponsored by the American Dental Association, American Dental Assistants Association, the Canadian Dental Assistants' Association and the Canadian Dental Association. If you have any questions about DARW or would like additional ad slicks, contact the Council on Dental Practice x2895 or e-mail dentalpractice@ada.org.

  • 2010 Dental Assistants Recognition Week Ad Slick | PDF file/1MB Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled. NEW!
  • 2010 Dental Assistant Recognition Week Kit (Available January 2010)

Downloadable Anniversary Certificate for Dental Office Staff
A sincere expression of appreciation from a supervisor or coworker that recognizes an employee's contribution can increase the employee's self-esteem and motivation. Download this anniversary certificate, print it on certificate paper (available at any office supply store), place it in a nice frame, present it at a staff meeting and display the framed certificate in the office.

How a recognition award is presented can be just as important and meaningful as the award itself—give details of the award (how many years of being a hygienist, time at the practice), ask other staff members to speak, and invite family members or friends, if possible. Not only is this a great staff morale builder, the framed certificate also highlights the professionalism and experience of your staff to your patients.

Note: It is the responsibility of whoever downloads and customizes this certificate to verify the accuracy of the information on the certificate.

Customize the Certificate:

  1. Download the file by right-clicking on the link and selecting from the menu
    "Save Target As…". Save the file to your computer.

Additional Resources

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Dentist Health and Wellness

Dentistry can be stressful and poses unique challenges and risks to its practitioners. The ADA Well-Being and Assistance Programs offer confidential assistance for dentists and/or their concerned family members.

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Council on Dental Practice (CDP)

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Practice Management and Allied Dental Personnel Resources Web Sites

The listing of internet resources in the downloadable document below is a compilation of resources from many different areas of the Association and outside the ADA that may address questions that you and/or your staff have about the day-to-day office activities. The good thing about the internet is the easy, instant access it offers; the downside is that it is not easy to properly phrase a question to find the correct answer nor can you always judge the veracity of information. The list categorizes some broad topics that members and allied dental personnel call the ADA about often and it offers Web sites or resources that may address those issues.

 
 
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