Age Requirement

5+ years old. 

Scheduling Consults / Surgery Appts

Remind surgery patients to arrive 15 minutes early for check in. New patients need to arrive 15 minutes early for check in if they complete the new patient paperwork online & 30 minutes early if they have not filled out their paperwork online.
Patients that are scheduled for the 2pm appointment time need to be made aware that the front door is locked until 2pm to not arrive early.  When scheduling a new patient (anyone that doesn't have a current treatment plan) the patient must have all the insurance information to schedule (3rd molars & biopsies need medical & dental insurance).  When scheduling a previous patient (patient has a current treatment plan) for surgery, look in the contact notes for the "****" notes because that will tell you how much time for the appt, if there are special instructions to go over with the patient, and if they have to have anything before they can schedule (ex. denture, surgical guide).

Referrals

A referral is required for all patients to be seen.
Referrals can be sent to:
McDonough: fax: 770-474-9395 or email: info@drpauloms.com
Griffin: fax: 770-229-4344 or email: griffin@drpauloms.com


If new patient is not referred from a doctor on the referring doctor list, please schedule them 3-4 months out (we are trying to save appointments for our main referring doctors). Starting in January, I would like only 2 con/e appointments in the morning & 2 in the afternoon (except on Wednesday, only 1 con/e appointment in the afternoon). Procedures need to be ending by 11:30 AM or 11:40 AM at the latest. If a top referring doctor's office (doctors that have *s by their name on the list) patient calls and we have an opening but there is already the max # of con/e on the schedule you may schedule their patient (where there is an appropriate appointment time). If there are any questions about if a patient can be scheduled please call the office to verify BEFORE offering it to the patient.

Appointment Notes

Appointment notes should include the tooth number being worked on. Procedures: we need any notes about blood thinners, diabetic medication or steriods if the pt takes them. Also, if the patient has a bridge attached to the tooth we are extracting or if they are having an immediate partial/flipper/denture we need this documented

Appointment Confirmation

Appointments are confirmed via email, text, and phone calls. 

Cancellations/ Reschedules

Cancellation policy: 24 hours notice is required. Anything less than 24 hours will be charged $100 fee (if they are a previous patient). If the patient is sick, there is no charge.  For new patients, after the 3rd cancellation or no showed appointment they are not rescheduled. If it a previous patient (they have a current treatment plan), after the 3rd cancellation ask the office or check the alerts or "****" contact note about rescheduling.
Reschedules: Cancel the appointment and make a new one.

Cancellation List

The cancellation list is offered to patients. Their name, appointment type, day they are scheduled, & if they have a preference on which office is noted. These people are called first if there is an opening. You must email the office with the pt's info so they can be added to the cancellation list.

Holiday Breaks

During school breaks, Christmas, & Thanksgiving are to be surgeries only (previous patients who have a current treatment plan). The summer will be a couple weeks of surgery- these will be an FYI at the top of the schedule for that day. When working these days, the schedule is 8:30am - 2:30pm (scheduled like a Friday). 

Patients with Special Needs

No special preferences. 

Sign Language Interpreter

If needed, the patient must bring one with them to appointments. 

Same Day Surgery

Patients may be scheduled for a consult/procedure same day for extraction of 1-2 erupted teeth. If a patient is diabetic- remind them to eat prior to coming in. If the patient is on steroids on a daily basis, they need to double the medication the morning of the procedure. If the patient is on a blood thinner they must have a written medical clearance prior to scheduling if they are having more than 1 tooth removed.

Openings in the surgery schedule 24 hours prior- can anything be scheduled?

Follow template. Don't just schedule anything even within 24 hours. 

Appointments that need to be coordinated with the referring doctor

The front office calls the referring doctor to coordinate when scheduling the appointment. 

Procedures not performed

OGS, TMJ, Sleep Apnea / Oral Appliances, and Connective Tissue Grafts.

How is the need for a medical clearance notated?

If a patient has a need for a medical clearance, there will be an alert & starred notes in their account. 

COVID-19 Protocols

Patients who are over the age of 18 are asked to come alone. If the patient is under the age of 18 they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If the patient needs assistance they may have 1 person with them.
If it is an IV surgery, the patient must have a ride that stays on the property.

How long is a consult good for?

A consultation is good for 1 year before needing a re-evaluation. 

Follow Ups

Patients typically have an in person follow up.

Scripting for Patients that don't know what  they need done

 "In order for me schedule you correctly, I have to know exactly what the dentist needs Dr. Paul to do.” Explain that some things are able to be done the same day as their 1st visit but there are some things that require an evaluation 1st and until I know exactly what needs to be done, I can’t make a correct appointment.