Two passes before every visit
The earlier you know,the more you can do.
Some records can only be made while the patient is in the chair.
- Pre-op imaging
- Intraoral photos
- Current perio charting
- Clinical rationale documented
- Signed treatment plan
- Required consent
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Two days ahead
Proposed for your office to approve: imaging and exams that are due. Order imaging, request outside films from the previous office, lengthen the slot.
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The day before
Flagged on the huddle sheet: whatever is still missing. Brief the team, chase outside records, adjust the slot if the day still allows it.
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Visit
Last chance to capture NOW
Capture it in the chair. This is the last point at which the record can be made.
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After
The record can’t be recreated
Some of it can no longer be captured. What remains is rework or an appeal.
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Before the visit
Know what to capture
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Every flag has a reason
Written rules, not a model’s guess
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Read-only
Nothing written back
Working out what each appointment needs is expert work, per patient. On a busy day it’s the first thing to go. Miss the window, and the record can’t be recreated — for the claim, for an appeal, or if the chart is ever reviewed.