A common issue that all dental practices must address involves how to effectively organize and maintain their records and files. One of the most efficient solutions is for the practice to develop and implement a formal policy for record retention. A record retention policy can help a dental practice streamline business, employee, and patient procedures, […]
In an attempt to curb the growing misuse of prescription medications, a new reschedule of hydrocodone combination products (“HCPs”) went into effect on October 6, 2014 that rescheduled HCPs from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. Pursuant to this reschedule, HCPs, or any drugs that contain a mixture of hydrocodone and […]
When I am consulting daily with doctors and other small business owners on their online marketing efforts it is almost inevitable that the subject of online reviews naturally comes up. Typically, this conversation starts out somewhat fear-based, for a majority of doctors feel they have a large lack of control in this arena and in […]
I get many clients asking me how I recommend billing for PPO patients in Dentrix. The problem with Dentrix is the treatment planner will not use the PPO Fees schedule to estimate fees and also post your fees to the patient ledger. You are able to set up the system to post the fees schedule […]
By: Tanya Nardone, Esq. We want to make our dental practice clients aware that, in most instances, associate dentists do not qualify as independent contractors under federal or state law. We certainly understand that some dental practice employers benefit from treating associate dentists as independent contractors. But, the simple fact that a dental practice may […]
In Ohio, a patient generally must file a dental malpractice claim within one year after the alleged cause of action occurs. The cause of action for dental malpractice occurs—and the one year period begins to run—at the later date of either: (i) when the patient discovers or should have discovered the alleged injury (known as […]
By Tanya Nardone, Esq. Nardone Limited believes employee handbooks are important because they: (i) communicate expectations and benefits to your employees; (ii) provide certain protections to your dental practice; and (iii) are beneficial to employee morale. More specifically, you should include the following policies and procedures or address the following issues in your employee handbook: […]
Mandatory arbitration agreements with employees can protect dental practices from costly litigation. Nardone Limited recommends that our dental practice clients consider requiring their employees to sign an agreement requiring arbitration, instead of litigation, as a means to resolving any employment issue. This article explains the benefits of arbitration agreements, how to ensure the agreement will […]
As dental attorneys, we at Nardone Limited regularly assist our dental practice clients in labor, employment, and human resource issues, including providing guidance on labor and employment workplace poster requirements. One very important aspect of operating a dental practice is ensuring that the dental practice complies with federal and state labor and employments laws, rules, […]
The NLRA, which is enforced by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), guarantees employees the right to engage in “concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.” Under certain circumstances, the NLRA protects “concerted activities” of union and non-union employees. “Concerted activities” include general discussions of working conditions and […]
