Complying with HIPPA – A List of Common Dos and Don’ts

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed in 1996, this set a national standard in protecting health information, defined as individually identifiable health information in any form including oral, written and electronic. By now you are likely aware of how this affects dentists practicing in the United States. With an increased focus on compliance, every dentist should review his or her procedures to ensure they are covered in every aspect of their business.

To help you avoid the hefty maximum penalty of $1.5 million per incident, we gathered a list of common DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to complying with HIPAA. A lot on these may seem like common sense but it’s a great reminder of how easy it could be to violate HIPAA.

DO

• Train all staff on HIPAA compliance and assign different security access levels to individual staff members.
• Ensure patient files are protected so that unauthorized persons do not have access to files.
• Store information on secure encrypted devices. 
• Always log off your computers when you leave your desk.
• Shred any patient records if you need to dispose of them.
• Update HIPAA documents annually or otherwise necessitated by a change in practice circumstances. 
• Promptly provide medical records should patients request them.
• Ensure all forms have the proper signatures on them. 
• Only provide the minimum level of necessary information to those with access to patient data.
• Use a cover sheet when faxing health records.
• Notify the Health & Human Services department should a breach occur.

DON’T

• Text patient information – while we hope our phones will never get lost or stolen, it happens. 
• Email private information unless it is a secure connection.
• Snoop records when it is not necessary or requested – this includes looking into you and your family’s records!
• Release information to unauthorized persons.
• Release information to the wrong patient.
• Discuss health information of patients in public areas.
• Leave patient information over an answering machine.
• Release information of a minor without permission of that parental/guardian.

This is not a definitive list, always consult a HIPAA compliance attorney with any questions you might have.

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7 books every dentist must read

When it comes to running a dental practice, we know you have a lot to juggle. Between handling extractions, bridges, dentures, and fillings, you’re also busy overseeing inventory and billing and marketing your services to keep the molars marching in. But don’t let the ‘day-to-day’ hold you back from exploring new ideas and ways of doing business. In fact, whether you’re a seasoned professional, with decades of experience under your belt, or a fresh face in the industry looking to grow your client base and dental practice, we know there are things you could be doing differently. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of 7 books to help you do just that. Written by experts in — and outside — the dental industry, our top 7 picks offer a great selection of business-savvy tips and advice on everything from team building to customer service. So don’t let ‘business as usual’ hold you back. Keep your mind open and get ready for the ride – and read – of your life.

On business principles and management

Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of doing business? Authors Donald Sull and Kathleen M. Eisenhardt argue that just a few simple rules are all you need to tackle even the most complex problems. In this book, these strategy experts offer up concrete examples of how simple rules have helped individuals, governments and businesses make better decisions. So go on, crack open this book and find out how you can apply a few simple rules to maximize your practice’s potential. There’s no reason to start, or stay, small. Just keep it simple.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Other’s Don’t

When it comes to choosing between a good company and a great company – it’s a no brainer. But can a good company become a great company? That’s the question American business consultant and author Jim Collins posed to a team of researchers half a decade ago. And, after examining the traits of over 14000 companies, Collins and his team came up with a definitive answer: yes, the transition is possible. In this book, learn about companies at the top of their game and discover about the common traits that helped them succeed.

Scaling Up

Looking to grow your dental practice? Then don’t miss Verne Harnish’s latest book Scaling Up, which offers tools and techniques designed to help you build your business venture. After reading Harnish’s book, you’ll walk away with a growth strategy that will not only help you earn more money, but ensure everyone in your practice is on board and excited to be part of the upward journey. In addition to being a great read, we recommend this book because it offers hands-on tools, including a one-page strategic plan template and checklist to help you scale up your dental practice successfully.

Managing a Dental Practice: The Genghis Khan Way

Don’t be fooled by the title of this book. In Managing a Dental Practice: The Genghis Khan Way, retired dentist and best-selling author Michael R. Young offers a unique perspective and practical guide on empire building in the dental industry through the lens of one of history’s most dynamic leaders. Discover how to employ century-old strategies to enrich your dental practice management skills.

On team building and resource management

Work Rules!

We’ve all heard about the perks that come from working at Google. But you don’t have to build on-site swimming pools and offer free haircuts for your staff in order to boost happiness and productivity. In Work Rules!, a new book by Laszlo Bock, the SVP of People Operations at Google, you’ll get the inside scoop on how to strike a balance between creativity and structure. You’ll also discover how one of the most successful companies in the world has managed to improve their employees’ quality of life, while increasing market share.

Drive

While you’re busy stocking your bookshelf, don’t forget this great read by career analyst Daniel H. Pink. In Drive, Pink unveils that there are better ways to motivate people than simply using the old carrot-and-stick approach. Instead, see what scientists and entrepreneurs are saying about human motivation, and learn how three simple principles — autonomy, mastery, and purpose — can help drive your dental practice forward.

On customer service

“I Love You More than My Dog”

You’re already familiar with the age-old saying ‘the customer is always right.’ But once you read Jean Bliss’s I Love You More than My Dog, you’ll start looking at customer service in a different light. In this book, you’ll be equipped with the tools to build a strong client base and learn how just five simple decisions can help guarantee extreme customer loyalty.

We told you that you would be in for the read of your life. Now put your reading glasses on and get started!


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Top 5 Apps for Dentists

From health, games to education, there are 1.2 million apps in the app store just waiting to be discovered. Among them are ones to supplement your dentistry practice or boost your productivity at work. But who wants to look through lists and lists of apps for the best and most useful? Luckily, we did the work for you so you don’t have to. Here are our top 5 apps for dentists.

 KidsDental by Orca Health, Inc.

Let’s be honest. No amount of free, colourful toothbrushes or toothpaste will attract the attention of young kids while they’re in your waiting room or chair. KidsDental is an animated a designed to entertain and educate children to learn about basic tooth care. Share this app with your young patients and their parents; you just might see more children eager to visit you in the future. A feature on the app allows children and their parents to input data about significant events into a calendar, such as losing their first tooth or their next visit to your office!

 Canvas

As a dentist and a businessperson, you know how much paper you go through each year with patient files and information. Help manage your office with this handy app that aims to reduce the amount of paperwork you do. Create forms, store information, gather data and access information from a secure cloud – this app will help you save on the hours you send to keep patient information organized. Here’s to efficiency and being environmentally friendly!

 DDS Anywhere by Dental Anywhere, Inc.

As a dedicated dentist, you want to be available for your patients during any emergency situation. Dental Anywhere allows your patients to communicate with you quickly making treatment convenience and safe. Use the app to easily present your treatment plans to your patients from a library of premade presentations so your patients can get a full understanding of your proposed treatment. With a library of premade presentations, you can easily showcase your treatments to your patients. Your patients can alert you through the app in emergency situations, access treatment information, request an appointment with you and sync appointments to their calendar so they can stay on top of their oral health.

  Eprocrates Rx

With over 2,000 reviews and over 1 million active members, this app delivers accurate and trusted clinical information to healthcare professionals. Quickly access medical information through some of the key features including of the app such as its mobile clinical reference library, medical news updates, and information on disease diagnosis, insurance codes and alternative treatment options.

 Dental Manager

Patients often deprioritize oral health because of cost. With this app, you can easily help your patients calculate costs of your treatment plan while setting up a payment plan to ensure both of you can find the best solution. This app also allows you to store contact information and notes of patients for easy accessibility.

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How we got our start and why we decided to fill the gap

Over the past several decades, we've watched the dental industry grow by leaps and bounds — with rapid advances in science and changes to the very tools and materials used by practices around the world. But despite all the developments, we noticed there was one area that had failed to keep up with the times: the business of ordering dental supplies.

And that, in a nutshell, is why we created Wazu.

As a privately-owned, founder-led company head-quartered in Vancouver, Canada — armed with nearly twenty years of experience in the industry — we knew ordering dental supplies could be easier.

So we decided to take matters into our own hands and fill the gap by designing an easy-to-use platform that streamlines and simplifies the purchasing journey.

With Wazu, our users are able to search for what they want, when they want.
No more sales pitch. No hassle.

And, because we don’t have any ties to a particular vendor, we don’t shy away from revealing the true cost of every product, down to the penny.  In fact, using our price comparison model, our clients are able to find great deals on thousands of guaranteed products across today’s biggest industry vendors — with the click of a button.

When it comes time to replenish our customer’s stock, we also believe in a no-hassle approach. We keep shipping addresses and past orders on file so that our customers can place future orders without having to go back to the starting blocks.

But here at Wazu, we don’t believe in just giving our clients the tools to find what they’re looking for — at the price they want. Whether they’re based in Los Angeles or Kentucky, as a registered user, they’ll gain instant access to industry news and insights.

We've moved the business of ordering dental supplies into the 21st century. Now it’s your turn to join the movement and start saving money and time so that you can get back to the things that really matter. And that means more than just flossing.

Stop taking it up the Wazu! Find the best deals on dental supplies with the click of a button