Dental Communication: Letters, Templates and Forms xiii Post-treatment Date Patient Street Address City, State Zip Dear Patient: Thank you for being such a great patient during treatment. Now that we have restored your mouth to a healthy condition, we would like to help you keep it that way. Our practice’s mission is to help patients take preventive action to protect their dental health and keep their teeth for life. Through proper home care and regular dental visits, you can protect your investment in oral health. We count on you to brush and floss regularly, and to tell us of any change in your dental condition or health. You can count on us to contact you for your next dental recare visit. We will call, email or send you a postcard to remind you of your visit. We also would like you to visit our practice website at [web address]. We’ve created a patient-focused site with practice news and the latest dental tips for you and your family. For your convenience, we are available by email at [email address] for non-emergency questions. On Mondays through Fridays, we try to respond to your message within 24 hours. If you have friends, neighbors or co-workers who would like our caring approach to dentistry and who do have a dentist now, please feel free to refer them to our office at [office number]. We would be glad to welcome them to our practice on your referral. We promise to provide them with the best possible dental care. Thanks again for choosing [practice name]. We appreciate your trust in us. Sincerely, Dentist and Team 30 © 2021 American Dental Association Consequences of Delayed Treatmentnot Date Patient Street Address City, State Zip Dear Patient: It’s been a while since we have seen you. At our last visit, we talked about a treatment plan to help you with [condition]. I have not heard from you, so I am writing to tell you about what may happen if you put off dental treatment. Right now, your problem might be easily treated. But if you wait much longer, your problem may get worse. Possible effects of waiting too long may include: • More pain • More complex and lengthier treatment • Increased treatment costs due to more harm to mouth and teeth • Higher risks of infection or complications • Longer recovery time • Having to take more time off from work for treatment and recovery Simply put, an investment in dentistry now may save you discomfort, money, and time in the long run. Please know that if you have concerns about the cost of the treatment plan, our staff can work with you on a payment plan so you can begin the treatment you need. We want to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Please call us at [office number] or email us at [email address] if you have questions or want to schedule your treatment. We hope to see you soon! Sincerely, Dentist and Team Dental Communication: Letters, Templates and Forms Correspond with ease with existing patients, potential patients, your community, vendors, staff and more with Dental Communication: Letters, Templates and Forms. The book includes more than 150 templates that can be used for many methods of communication, including letters, press releases, newsletter items and social media posts. Formerly called The ADA Practical Guide to Dental Letters, this book still contains the professionally written templates that you have come to know and trust, but also contains new communications for important issues such as: • The closing and opening of dental practices due to pandemic events • An overview of a practice’s infection control protocols and assurance of the measures that have been taken • “Welcome back” messages so patients know you are open for appointments and ready to help get their oral health back on track Templates are adaptable for many purposes, including: • Drafting letters for patients, colleagues, vendors and more • Creating content for social media and the web • Developing and customizing forms for patients in your practice • Promoting yourself or your practice in the media • Applying for jobs, fellowships and grants and other volunteer opportunities Dental Communication helps you save time on crafting formal messages by providing your practice with professional templates that can be used in a variety of situations. Digital letter templates are included for easy customization and in-office printing. J05320BT Spiral bound book + e-book, 226 pages Members $69.95 Retail $104.95 Book ISBN: 978-1-68447-153-9 | e-book ISBN: 978-1-68447-154-6 BEST SELLER Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: Response Guide To make sure you and your dental team are ready for any health issues that may arise, take advantage of our dental medical emergency training program. The manual and videos cover: • 13 specific emergencies with instructions for handling them • Recommended equipment and supplies for a dental emergency kit • Staff assignments during an emergency and the responsibilities for each role • Dealing discreetly with other people in the dental office during an emergency, such as other patients and the medically distressed person’s spouse or caretaker • The importance of thorough record keeping during a medical event, and what to include in these notes • How giving specific location instructions to emergency medical technicians can save time — and possibly a life — when every second counts CE tests are subject to a $20 grading fee per test. P082BT Spiral bound book + e-book, 38 pages + DVD + streaming videos Members $135.95 Retail $202.95 Book ISBN: 978-1-68447-005-1 | e-book ISBN: 978-1-68447-053-2 KEY FEATURES • Step-by-step instructions to aid in identifying and managing common medical emergencies, such as fainting, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, seizures, diabetic events, strokes and cardiac arrest • List of recommended equipment and supplies for a dental emergency kit • Detailed duty sheet instructing each team member of their tasks during a medical emergency • Four educational videos for the dentist and team to watch via streaming videos or DVD • CE test worth 3 credit hours 4 VIDEOS INCLUDED 1 It Won’t Happen Here discusses what constitutes a medical emergency, factors that may increase the likelihood of one and what you should do to be prepared. 2 My Role in a Crisis details the assignments and duties of each dental team member in a medical emergency. 3 Using Medical Equipment is a brief overview on how to use common medical supplies and equipment during an emergency. 4 Crisis in a Clinic shows a dental team successfully managing a medical emergency. 5 Dentist/Team Leader The dentist should be able to remain with the patient throughout the medical emergency. The dentist’s duties are to: • Assess the nature and severity of the problem • Maintain the patient’s airway and assist with ventilation, as needed for non-breathing patients, during CPR, etc. • Provide appropriate care • Direct staff • Determine when to call 911 Clinical Assistant/Primary Support Person The assistant’s principal goal is to directly assist the dentist in treating the emergency. The clinical assistant should: • Remain consistently with the dentist and patient throughout the emergency • Provide patient care as directed by the dentist • Start O2 and be responsible for respiration if necessary • In the event of cardiac arrest, provide chest compressions while the dentist provides ventilations per the American Heart Association’s two-person CPR for healthcare providers Dental Hygienist/Patient Assessor and Record Keeper The dental hygienist should: • Take and record the patient’s vital signs as directed • Note the time when the medical event began. Start and maintain a written record of vital signs, medications administered, patient responses, and team actions • Assist the clinical assistant, as appropriate • Relieve the assistant from chest compressions, if necessary Office Manager/Rover The office manager should: • Collect. Bring all medical supplies and equipment to the dentist treating the emergency, including the portable oxygen tank, oropharyngeal airways, medication kit, medical emergencies guide, and AED • Call. Stand by to call 911 as directed • Control. Be responsible for containing other individuals, including patients, in locations away from the emergency, such as other operatories and the reception area • Assist emergency medical services in locating the door to the office Sample Duty Sheet: Designated Staff Roles in a Medical Emergency Dental office staff may make copies of this duty sheet, laminate them and hang them in places where they will be visible and accessible to the dental team during a medical emergency — for example, the sterilization area, the hygiene area, the business area, the break room, etc. Notice for Sample Pages: Reproduction of this material by dentists and their staff for use in the dental practice is permitted. Any other use, duplication or distribution by any other party requires the prior written approval of the American Dental Association. This material is for general reference purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice, and does not cover specific federal or state law. Changes in applicable laws may require revision. Dentists should contact qualified legal counsel for legal advice, such as advice pertaining to HIPAA compliance and applicable state laws and regulations. 18 Angina/Hea (Myocardial Infarc Signs & Symptoms: Protocol: Assess level of consciousness Position in Semi-Fowler’s position Check for possible airway obstructions Start supplemental O2 via cannula or mask Take blood pressure to check for hypotension Start written record Minor Major Is dentist available and able to return to office? Supplemental O2 Activate EMS/call 911 If patient has physician-prescribed EpiPen and has the EpiPen on their person, they may self-administer it at this time Yes No Contact DDS Allow DDS to treat Consult MD and advise. If unavailable, secure other medical personnel or call EMS/911 Minor Attack/Think “Skin” • Hives (wheal and flare) • Itching • Swelling • Redness • Runny nose Major Attack/Think “Airway” • Labored breathing • Wheezing, possibly coughing • Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) • Rapid heart beat • Falling blood pressure • Tightening in chest • Incontinence Allergic Reactions Team Leader: Dental Team Notice for Sample Pages: Reproduction of this material by dentists and their staff for use in the dental practice is permitted. Any other use, duplication or distribution by any other party requires the prior written approval of the American Dental Association. This material is for general reference purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice, and does not cover specific federal or state law. Changes in applicable laws may require revision. Dentists should contact qualified legal counsel for legal advice, such as advice pertaining to HIPAA compliance and applicable state laws and regulations. Laminated with full-color charts Earn 3 hours CE credit.* ORDER BY PHONE: 800.947.4746 30 31 ORDER ONLINE: ADASTORE.ORG Treatment Treatment Letters PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MANAGING YOUR PRACTICE