• Hygiene Department Health Assessment

    You care for patients every day. Now it’s time to care for your hygiene department. Take this assessment to identify strengths, gaps and where meaningful improvements can be made.
  • 1. Our practice has a clearly defined periodontal philosophy that guides hygiene care.*
  • 2. Periodontal evaluations and diagnoses are based on clinical findings, not insurance coverage.*
  • 3. Periodontal therapy options are clearly differentiated (gingivitis, early, moderate, advanced periodontitis) and clinical recommendations are consistent among providers.*
  • 4. Systems are in place to reduce cancellations and no shows.*
  • 5. Patients are generally seen close to their scheduled appointment time.*
  • 6. The hygiene department is viewed as a driver of practice health, not just a service area.*
  • 7. Our practice consistently tracks hygiene production per hour, perio percentage and reappointment rates?*
  • 8. Approximately 50% of our hygiene schedule consists of periodontal related procedures.*
  • 9. Patients understand the difference between routine hygiene visits and periodontal therapy. Recommended periodontal treatment is scheduled in a timely manner.*
  • 10. Hygiene productivity is reviewed regularly and discussed constructively. The hygienists generate three to four times their salaries in production revenue.*
  • 11. The hygienists follow treatment guidelines that are consistent, standardized and reproducible.*
  • 12. There is a clear process for determining appropriate continuing care intervals for patients.*
  • 13. Clear written Standard Operating Procedures are in place that ensure new and temporary hygienists treat all patients consistently.*
  • 14. Financial expectations related to hygiene and periodontal care are clearly explained.*
  • 15. Clinical documentation is consistent and supports quality care and risk management.*
  • 16. The hygiene schedule structure supports production goals and maximizes efficiency.*
  • 17. Continuing care patients receive a complete examination, including comprehensive periodontal charting, intraoral photographs and all necessary radiographs.*
  • 18. Communication between hygiene, doctors and administrative team is clear and efficient.*
  • 19. Visual tools (intraoral photos, radiographs, models) are routinely used to support education.*
  • 20. During restorative examinations, the team is effective and confident in communicating patients' prioritized treatment needs on a tooth-by-tooth basis as well as discussing elective and cosmetic options.*

  • Scoring

     

    20 points You are doing an excellent job of managing your hygiene department.
    15-19 points You are doing a good job but there are one or two areas to focus on that will make a tremendous difference in your productivity.
    10-14 points You probably haven't been analyzing your hygiene status for a while. There are several significant areas in your hygiene department that need to be addressed immediately in order to bring it back on track and make it profitable.
    5-9 points Your hygiene department is weak and needs a major "overhaul" in order to make it productive and efficient.
    0-4 points Your hygiene department is in crisis and you need a specialist post haste!

     

  • Should be Empty: