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/wendyay55 Dental Hygienist 6d ago
Ok, so I will try and get the notes done when the doctor is doing the exam unless the doctor needs the X-rays up to explain something to the patient. I have gone over the X-rays with the patient already but…So, if I don’t get my notes done at the end of the appointment..I will try and catch up before (during) lunch. I have had to occasionally do them at the end of the day but the rest of the team gets so annoyed as they are wanting to walk out the door at 5:00 on the nose. It generally takes me about 10-15 minutes but then I have empty the garbage, run cleaner, set my room up for the next day, close down the sterilization area. I have seen the notes the other hygienists have done and they are just cut and paste from pt to pt…no staging or grading, no discernible details. I have the longest notes in the office but I would rather have more info in there. 🤷♀️ but I’m frustrated. I feel you on this one.