Training and collaboration for improved revenue cycle management in the dental practice

After a recent article drew plenty of eyeballs, I knew it was time to bring the author back for a new episode of "The DrBicuspid.com Podcast" to drill deeper into her thoughts that seemed to resonate so well with our audience.

Ashley Bond.

Recently, Ashley Bond with Wisdom wrote this article titled, "Unlocking revenue potential: How your dental team can master revenue cycle management." The article outlined the roles that each dental team member (including the dentist) plays in revenue cycle management (RCM) and seemed to be written at a time when so many dental practices are looking to how they will end 2024 strong.

In this conversation that you can hear below, I interviewed Ashley Bond to ask more questions about RCM in dental practices. We discussed the importance of every team member understanding RCM and their role in it. Bond also emphasized the significance of proper documentation, including detailed clinical notes, and the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in assisting with documentation. Our conversation highlights the importance of training and collaboration among team members to improve RCM and overall practice efficiency.

Key takeaways from the interview

• Every team member in a dental practice plays a crucial role in RCM. It is not solely the responsibility of the front office team.
  
  
• Proper documentation, including detailed clinical notes, is essential for successful RCM. It helps protect licenses and ensures payment from insurance companies.
  
  
• AI can be a helpful tool in supplementing RCM processes, but it is not a complete replacement. Care must be taken to ensure AI-generated content does not sound robotic.
  
  
• Dental assistants play a vital role in the documentation side of RCM. They can assist in gathering necessary attachments, taking photos, and ensuring the completeness of documentation.
  
  
• Training and cross-training among team members are crucial for effective RCM. Collaboration and breaking down barriers between front and back office teams can improve practice efficiency.
  
  
• Bond's No. 1 wish for RCM in dental practices is increased training and equipping team members with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Acknowledgement

This podcast is sponsored by Garfield Refining. DrBicuspid listeners can get 50% off their refining fee when they refine with Garfield by using code DRBPOD-24. Learn more and download your shipping label to get started today.