Be punctual in keeping your appointments if you expect the patient to do the same. Do not let your patients wait for extended periods of time without letting them know you have been detained. Arrive early to make certain the operatory is in order and necessary equipment and materials are ready for use. Each patient should be seen at least once a month. Write a schedule outlining the plan of treatment for each appointment, and for all appointments needed to complete the total treatment plan.
Organization is the key element in good practice management.
Encourage patients with flexible schedules to be available on short notice. Remember that patients are sensitive to uncleanliness and disorderliness and will associate such with poor dentistry. For accurate reports to be generated each student must exercise consistent care and punctuality in record maintenance procedures. No form is computer acceptable without complete identification data. There may be times when treatment other than an emergency procedure is performed before the treatment plan is completed.