Practice Information

Staff meeting summary- 17/10/2023

Present- CN, MC, ML, NL, SB, NH, OC.

Stairs- I have recently done a risk assessment for stairs. Risk is calculated by assessing the level of risk and the probability of an incident.

STAIRS =Risk MAJOR, Probability POSSIBLE with gives HIGH RISK.

So moving forward, we need to be telling all patients to use handrails and take care on the stairs. However more likely is one of us slipping/tripping as we are more familiar and rush up and down all day. Therefore, can we all use handrails and don’t carry drinks down with both hands and please TAKE CARE!

Security- As per previous WhatsApp, please keep all personal belonging in locked locker room and then press C to activate lock on the door! Please can we keep kitchen/bathroom door shut.

HYG nurse/Early lunch- The hyg. nurse also needs to be decon. nurse as far as possible throughout AM and PM sessions. CN/MC are getting lots of treatment appointments back-to-back and their nurse needs to be able to get set up for next treatment.

The early lunch regime is working well however the jobs need to be prioritised. I have placed a sheet on wall with list of jobs in priority order. There is space underneath to write any extra jobs. Basically, always bin and decon first- then stock, with setting up surgeries last. There is usually 40 minutes available so should be lots of time.

Generally, can all nurses be more aware of what’s going on in the other surgeries regarding autoclaves, instruments etc.  

COMMUNICATION- We have several issues that come up regularly that could be solved with better communication. We are still trying to minimise trying interruptions to clinics and keep using instant messages.

Instant messages – Please reply if possible, there is no need to write a sentence just single word replies will do!

-          just need very quick replies  ie. Y, N , new est, Denplan

Taking pts in early- If patient is here for a double appt, please do not take in early unless discussed with the

other clinician- this causes problems if then followed by a long treatment appointment. I appreciate this can be frustrating if made to run late but it unfortunately happens sometimes. Overall, we stay mainly on time which is amazing 😊 

Treatment plans – If a treatment changes during an appointment eg. extra fill, new core, long term temp crown, 2nd hyg- please ask reception to send new estimate.

Denplan rebanding- Currently, there is a Denplan rebanding exercise underway- if a pop up comes on about this, nurses-please tell the dentist, don’t just close it !! Dentists- if changing ban, please tell reception who will explain new rates, offer Essentials etc. Please close pop up when actioned.

Death – If we are informed a patient has passed away, set task for ‘their’ dentist, and ‘their’ hyg (if they have a regular one) and also set task for RECEPTION (on task bar).

SNC/FTA’s- Moving forward, all 2nd time SNC and FTA’s are to have a charge put on and the relevant email sent as per our policy- before doing this please make sure the patient has had a previous warning to this effect. There is no need to ask CN/MC/LG for their permission. Please use your discretion regarding certain issues where a charge is not appropriate- please make a note if this is the case.  If patient calls to SNC and rebook, please make sure correct email is sent with charging details, likewise if a patient FTA’s but then calls to rebook, please still send relevant email with charging details.

Illness- When a patient call saying they feel unwell, reception often feel they need to ask dentist which interrupts their session. We have made the decision to ask patient if they feel well enough to come and let them make decision- no need to check with CN/MC- however still ask hyg’s and LG.  

Consent forms- There are now consent forms for RCT (XLA to follow) for patients to sign, please make sure they are given at consult appointments and ask patients to them to bring back- if they forget, get another one signed (supply in each surgery). Nurses, please get out these forms ready at the start of each session so they are not missed.

RECEPTION

Please request medical form on portal tab before sending reminder texts. If this is not done, there is not always a medical history form for the patient to complete.

When patients call to cancel and don’t rebook, if specific circumstances are divulged, ie illness- please leave note on the telephone tab.

New patient bookings-please leave 40 mins rather than usual 30 mins  if deemed necessary- eg, wheelchair, sound ‘complex’.

SURGERY/DECON

Endo files- when autoclaving endo files, between RCT 1 and RCT 2-they need to go in autoclave on their own.

Composite compules- please do not put empty composite compules back in the warmer.

Xmas clinics- We are running in between Xmas and New Year slightly different this year. CN/MC are having open, bookable clinics on 27/12 (ZT/NL), 28/12 (SB,NH) 29/12 (RS/OC) from 9-1, everyone has been allocated a day- any problems let me know.

Xmas ‘do’ This is booked for 08/12 at Topkapi Palace- we will need to make menu choices the week before- more info to follow.

ENDO referrals- When booking endo referrals for MC, consult fee is £75.00, we are no longer knocking this fee off the full endo fee as previously.

Denplan fees- Both Essentials and Care increasing by 10% from 01/2023- if any Care patients call to discuss the new fees and are not happy, please offer Essentials as an alternative.

Simply Health APP- The GP/Physio app provided by Denplan is now up and running; you need to get app and register- very easy to do- any problems please let know.  

Next CPD topic- Information governance and GDPR – CPD holiday over!😊 

Please can you all complete the following course before next meeting.

Data Security and Protection Part 1 and Part 2 (30 min)

Maintaining and Protecting Patient Confidential Information (30 min)

Natasha is now GDC registered – whoop! 😊

And a big Thank you to Becky for all Bake off stuff- we are all thoroughly enjoying it!!

And thank you to you all for all your hard work.

Mandy 😊