Am I being too picky or should I move on?
Hello, I’m an RDA, and while I lack extensive experience running a dental practice, I have some concerns about my current office that I’d like to share. The doctor and my colleagues are wonderful, but the quality of the technical care we provide to patients is troubling.
Every hygiene appointment is scheduled for only 30 minutes, which includes the time needed for X‑rays taken by the hygiene assistants. Patients who arrive up to 15 minutes late still receive their cleanings, but the remaining time is rushed. We have three to four hygiene rooms operating daily, which I know is not a problem but everything feels rushed. The office still relies on film and paper charts. Equipment frequently breaks…about once a week, and we never replace it; we simply repair old devices that break again. Additionally, the EFDAs use low‑cost materials that often cause problems.
Patients love the office because the staff is friendly and supportive, but I’m beginning to wonder if that’s the only positive aspect. Are we truly delivering the level of care our patients deserve?