Michele P. Carr, RDH, MA, EdD, is faculty emeritus and former chair of the Division of Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry in Columbus. She has been involved nationally and locally serving on numerous professional committees such as the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Allied Dental Program Directors, ADEA Continuing Education Advisory Committee, American Dental Hygienists’ Association Council on Policy and Bylaws, Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association Government Relations Committee, and Committee on Dental Accreditation Dental Hygiene Review Committee. Carr currently serves on the Ohio State Dental Board and is a member of the CDCA-WREB-CITA.
Do I need to take a full-mouth X-ray (FMX) within the same date allowance as the bitewings? If I take bitewings in April, can I take the FMX in December?
My cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) renewal deadline is in June but my office is not hosting a class until August. Is this a problem if I wait until August?
Our nonclinical staff members want to close the office and leave the minute the last patient is gone. They don’t understand that we need to clean the operatories/sterilize instruments prior to leaving. Is this a legal issue?
During my review, I was penalized for taking too much time on medical histories. I am concerned that if I am not thorough, I may be liable if something goes wrong.
Each day I am in the clinic at 7 am, treating patients between 8 am and 6 pm. The owner of my practice has stated that I cannot bill the morning meeting hours, instrument cleaning hours, and any time past 6 pm. It takes me a few hours to…
How can I ascertain whether the fees for the procedures I am providing are appropriate? I have had patients ask me about the costs involved for specific treatments and I am not sure how to handle this.
Dentists can charge whatever they…