Let’s face it. Sometimes it is easier to “get by” when you are down a Dental Assistant vs. hire a temporary LDA. We get it!
However, this is usually due to lack of planning for the temporary providers day, responsibilities, and expectations.
Here are 5 tips on how to maximize productivity with a temporary Licensed Dental Assistant:
- Appoint a “main” Assistant from your practice to run operatories
- What can they delegate that requires minimal training? What can they take charge of themselves? Have your main team member take on the high-level responsibilities and the temporary provider “assist” your Assistant so you can ensure you don’t decrease your patient load for the day.
- Mini huddle
- Go through the schedule with the temporary Licensed Dental Assistant and make a plan/flow for each patient so communication is open, and everything is set up. Ask them what they are comfortable with and what they would rather not do due to lack of experience. Get clear on a plan for the day and it will be delightful!
- Keep sterile flowing
- A brief tour of sterilization and your unique office flow should be all it takes for a temporary team member to jump right in and assist with instruments. Invite them to ask questions to an appointed “approachable” fulltime team so everything is packaged/sterilized to your satisfaction.
- Obtaining x-rays
- Even if your temporary LDA isn’t assisting chairside with the doctor, they are licensed and fully capable of pulling the next patient back and snapping an x-ray when needed to keep patients on time.
- Assist chairside
- Of course, if you do not have additional team members to be a main point of contact for the temporary LDA, know that they are fully capable of assisting you chairside within your full scope of practice. Have an open/positive mindset, introduce them just as if they were one of your own and make the best of it! There are several Doctors who enjoy this experience to work with someone new, who may bring fresh ideas to the practice on systems, flow and how to care for patients!
Why struggle through your day without a provider? Contact us for more information on how you can utilize our amazing temporary providers today: [email protected]
