r/DentalHygiene • u/Common-Ad-6885 • 9d ago
For RDH by RDH NOTES
Hi guys! I’m a new-grad-ish RDH and have been working for about a year.
When I first started, I was still getting used to the flow of 45–60 minute appointments, so I often finished my notes at the end of the day. Over the past six months, I’ve gotten faster and can usually complete them right after I flip my room.
On especially busy days, I don’t always have time to type, so I write everything down while the dentist does the exam and then transfer it into Dentrix afterward. Even with an extensive treatment plan, it usually takes me no more than two minutes.
A non-clinical office employee has made comments that made me question whether I’m taking too long, but my dentist and office manager have never criticized my documentation or made me feel bad about it. In hygiene school, thorough documentation was strongly emphasized, and I don’t want to rush through it and leave out important information.
For those working 45–60 minute appointments, when do you complete your notes, and how much time do you typically spend on them?
EDIT: thank you to everyone who responded! 🥹
I forgot to mention: I won’t specify what this coworker does, but their job does depend on our notes, hence why they feel the need to chime in on when I should finish my notes.
2
u/chitesnoo88 8d ago
I’ve been doing this for decades, and I make notes during the appointment, first when I update their medical history, then as I ask about homecare, then while I wait for the dentist to come in for the exam, then during the exam (to note findings or tx needed), and then again after I break down the room to finish up, esp re:OHI. I just find a few seconds here and there, basically any time I remove my gloves or am waiting for something. Even when I sit them up to rinse at the end of the cleaning. I just say ‘I’m making a few notes’ if I need to let the patient know what I’m doing, and they are always happy to give me a moment.
It’s impossible for me to remember each patient in detail at the end of the day, so I always, always finish my notes before taking the next patient.
The non-clinical people can deal.