Julia Atkins’ Dental Visits

Water Garden DentalDr. Eric ProutyCosta Mesa

- Focused on office/management side of facility

-Interviewed office manager

Beverly Hills DentistryDr. Michele FrawleyBeverly Hills-Family owned and operated dental office-CERAC Machine in office-Observed filling

Fundora DentalDr. Denise FundoraWest Hollywood

- “Dentist to the stars”-Observed impression being made for a crown-Dental tattoos

UCLA School of DentistryWestwood

-Toured several wings of the facility:

Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Radiology

Water Garden DentalDr. Eric ProutyCosta Mesa

-High-tech-Devoted to patient care

Westview EndodonticsDr. John LiesDr. Patrick GarrettGarden Grove

-Microscopic Endodontics-Patient-oriented

Newport Beach Cosmetic DentistryDr. John EriksmoenNewport Beach

-Prosthodontist-State of the art facility-Dedicated staff

Dr. Lester LimWestminster

-General Practitioner-Standard dentistry-Patient-oriented

Giovanna Charleston’s Dental Visits

A Kid’s DentistDr. Shalina ShahHuntington Beach

-Kid friendly amenities-Interviewed receptionist

Marvene Sander’s Dental Visits

Dr. Eric Meyer Fullerton -traditional dentistry-keeps up with technology-long term clients

The Gary CenterLa Habra -Affordable dentistry-community based

The Kids Dentist Huntington Beach-fun comfortable dentistry for kids

UCLA School of DentistryWestwood -latest and greatest up to date technology

Joy Myers’s Dental VisitsUCLA School of Dentistry Westwood-Dental teaching institution as well as patient care

Dr. Eric ProutyCosta Mesa

Jennifer Rafferty, RDH, MS Laguna Niguel-Hygienist Dr. Mary Fieldler

Dr. Lester Lim-

Westminster Dr. Charles Wilson-General Dentist San Juan Capistrano-Caring Patient -Centered Practice

Adjunct faculty at Cypress College RDH program and Orange Coast College RDA program

Ryan McKernan’s Dental VisitsWater Garden DentalDr. Eric ProutyCosta Mesa

- Balanced cost and expenditures

- Worked with patient’s plans (payment options)

Marina DentalFountain Valley

-Decisions based on coverage

- Observed root cannel

- Accommodates patient plans

UCLA School of DentistryWestwood

- Determines patients status

- Collaborating departments

- Professional growth

ActivityStudents were divided into three groupsGroup 1 DentistStudents were given initial setup costs.Group 2 Office ManagerStudents had to decided how they would

spend (supplies, technology, workforce).Group 3 PatientStudents get discounts on how many

members they referred for service.

Group 1 DentistGiven a loan from the teacher (bank)Types of loans$500,000 over 5 years @ 11%$600,000 over 6 years @ 10%Rent• Location 1 $50,000 a year (after 15 years,

option to buy).• Location 2 $60,000 a year (after 10 years

option to buy).Interviews Office Managers* (manger presents

costs)Interviews patients** (their plan of coverage is

withheld)

Group 2 Office ManagerResponsibilitiesHiring workers within budget: Specialist (-$60,000 a year) Assistant (-$20,000 a

year)Maintaining supplies/Upgrading equipmentMaintain Supplies(-$5,000 a/month), Operational cost

(-$15,000 a/year) , Chair (-$2,000), CERAC (-$150,000),

Decides how to accommodate patients plan with office (plan A, Plan B, or payment plan).

Gives Patient a discounted rate for referrals. Most collect fees prior to patient leaving.

Group 3 PatientPatient given $3,000Decides Health planPlan A covers $2,000 a year, most dentist accept.Plan B covers $1,000 a year, the rest out-of-

pocket.Patient calculates the costPayment Plan (-$100 a year) spreads payments out

@ 2%Decides to refer for a one time discount(10%) or

$50 per.Patient rates every dentist and office manager.

ActivityStudents were divided into 4 groupsGroup 1: Dental Assistant /Registered Dental Assistant

Identified qualities, characteristics, soft skills identified for employment in a dental office

Group 2: Administrative AssistantIdentified technical skills and personal qualities required for employment in a dental office

Group 3: Dentist Identified the attributes the dentist/employer is looking for

to hire a DA/RDA/Administrative AssistantGroup 4: Dental HygienistIdentified the training and attributes the dental hygienist

must have to be hired in the dental office

Group 1: DA/RDA Given the information from interview

questionnaires acquired from various dental facilities:

1. Identify qualities, skills (both technical and soft skills) necessary for employment in the dental field as a Dental Assistant for chairside/ clinical practice.

2. How does the dental assistant career differ from the dental hygiene position in the dental office?

Group 2: Administrative AssistantGiven the information from interview

questionnaires acquired from various dental facilities:

1. Identify the additional training necessary to function in this capacity

2. Identify the soft skills required in this position

3. Describe how this position is different from the clinical/chairside position

Group 3: DentistGiven the information from interview

questionnaires acquired from various dental facilities:

1. Identify the characteristics and qualities the dentist is looking for to hire a dental assistant, administrative assistant or dental hygienist.

2. How are these positions different from the dentist’s point of view?

Group 4: Dental HygienistGiven the information from interview

questionnaires acquired from various dental facilities:

1. Identify qualities, skills and training which are required to be employed as a dental hygienist

2. How does the position of the dental hygienist differ from the other office positions ?