1 00:00:00,745 --> 00:00:02,845 - How can you make infection control 2 00:00:02,985 --> 00:00:04,925 sticky at the office level? 3 00:00:05,155 --> 00:00:07,485 Welcome to the Becker's Dental and DSO podcast. 4 00:00:07,745 --> 00:00:09,405 I'm your host, Andrew. No Bini from 5 00:00:09,425 --> 00:00:10,605 Pro Edge Dental Water Labs. 6 00:00:10,865 --> 00:00:13,365 And today I'm joined by the one and only Kelly. Tim. 7 00:00:14,135 --> 00:00:17,645 Kelly is a world class consultant working alongside some 8 00:00:17,645 --> 00:00:19,525 of the largest DSOs in the nation 9 00:00:19,865 --> 00:00:23,565 and partnering with them in driving compliance forward. 10 00:00:24,095 --> 00:00:26,645 Kelly, welcome to the podcast. 11 00:00:27,225 --> 00:00:29,605 - Thanks, Andrew. I'm excited to be here 12 00:00:29,605 --> 00:00:30,685 with you today. This is awesome. 13 00:00:30,915 --> 00:00:32,805 - Yeah. Tell me a little bit about yourself, the work 14 00:00:32,805 --> 00:00:34,405 that you do, the day to day, the week to week, 15 00:00:34,555 --> 00:00:35,565 what are you involved with? 16 00:00:35,945 --> 00:00:37,925 - So, yeah, so I am a compliance advisor, 17 00:00:38,265 --> 00:00:39,365 was Safelink Consulting. 18 00:00:39,665 --> 00:00:43,085 Um, and we partner with dental offices all over the nation 19 00:00:43,145 --> 00:00:46,445 to help them, um, create safety policies 20 00:00:46,465 --> 00:00:48,765 and procedures, whether that's a large DSO 21 00:00:48,785 --> 00:00:50,525 or just a single private practice. 22 00:00:50,825 --> 00:00:53,885 Um, we help from the top all the way to working 23 00:00:53,885 --> 00:00:57,245 with the individual offices on, um, safety issues. Yeah, 24 00:00:57,505 --> 00:01:01,045 - And I think you probably are incredibly close 25 00:01:01,345 --> 00:01:05,045 to the pain point that we're gonna talk about, which is, 26 00:01:05,105 --> 00:01:06,925 and the reason why we're talking about this idea 27 00:01:06,925 --> 00:01:08,365 of making infection control sticky. 28 00:01:08,835 --> 00:01:13,365 There's a reality just with growth of, of Right. 29 00:01:13,425 --> 00:01:15,685 Hiring is a challenge for DSOs. 30 00:01:15,905 --> 00:01:18,405 We know that, um, potentially retention 31 00:01:18,625 --> 00:01:19,765 or even turnover, right? 32 00:01:19,765 --> 00:01:22,125 Churn rate can be a challenge for growing DSOs. 33 00:01:22,125 --> 00:01:24,125 We know that. And so it can be frustrating, 34 00:01:24,125 --> 00:01:25,725 and I'm sure you've experienced, so feel free 35 00:01:25,725 --> 00:01:28,885 to speak into this a little bit, where you go into an office 36 00:01:29,105 --> 00:01:30,485 and train a team 37 00:01:30,785 --> 00:01:33,605 or an individual on how to uphold the standard 38 00:01:33,835 --> 00:01:35,565 that d the DSO has set. 39 00:01:35,705 --> 00:01:38,445 And then you come back months later, a year later 40 00:01:38,585 --> 00:01:40,725 and it's entire, it's like a whole new group of people 41 00:01:40,785 --> 00:01:43,205 and it's like, okay, so now I'm having to retrain. 42 00:01:43,585 --> 00:01:45,485 And I'm sure they experience that as well, 43 00:01:45,485 --> 00:01:47,245 that cyclical nature of having 44 00:01:47,265 --> 00:01:49,125 to constantly feel like they're retraining their team. 45 00:01:49,505 --> 00:01:50,965 Is that something that is kind of close 46 00:01:50,965 --> 00:01:52,085 to home there and you feel that? 47 00:01:52,475 --> 00:01:53,565 - Yeah, absolutely. 48 00:01:53,725 --> 00:01:56,005 I think and that, and that can be frustrating, right? 49 00:01:56,005 --> 00:01:59,085 Because there's just a a lot of turnover. 50 00:01:59,465 --> 00:02:01,205 Um, there's a staff shortage right now, 51 00:02:01,205 --> 00:02:02,565 especially in the dental industry. 52 00:02:02,625 --> 00:02:05,405 And so, um, yeah, that's definitely something that we see, 53 00:02:06,265 --> 00:02:09,485 but we never want that to be an excuse for safety 54 00:02:09,505 --> 00:02:10,565 to take a backseat. 55 00:02:11,165 --> 00:02:12,765 'cause that's just not, it's just not okay. 56 00:02:12,765 --> 00:02:15,245 They, we have to come up with, with ways to make sure 57 00:02:15,245 --> 00:02:18,005 that everybody that comes into our practice to work, 58 00:02:18,005 --> 00:02:20,405 whether they're a temp, whether they've been there a while, 59 00:02:20,435 --> 00:02:22,885 they understand our policies, our procedures, 60 00:02:23,025 --> 00:02:24,485 and that they're trained, they deserve that. 61 00:02:24,945 --> 00:02:26,285 Um, and they need to know that. 62 00:02:26,305 --> 00:02:27,685 And so by really, um, 63 00:02:28,155 --> 00:02:31,165 investing in this infection control coordinator is going, 64 00:02:31,205 --> 00:02:33,645 I think it's gonna make a huge difference across the board. 65 00:02:33,835 --> 00:02:34,885 - Yeah. Yeah. I love it. 66 00:02:34,885 --> 00:02:36,845 You gave just the sneak peek right here, , which is 67 00:02:36,995 --> 00:02:38,485 that is that is it, that's the nugget. 68 00:02:38,515 --> 00:02:41,325 What, Hey, how do, how can you make infect control 69 00:02:41,325 --> 00:02:42,885 sticky at the office level? 70 00:02:43,145 --> 00:02:44,445 We believe, um, 71 00:02:44,945 --> 00:02:47,245 it is having someone called an 72 00:02:47,245 --> 00:02:48,285 infection control coordinator. 73 00:02:48,285 --> 00:02:49,445 This is not a new hire. 74 00:02:49,715 --> 00:02:52,165 This is taking a team member that you already have 75 00:02:52,265 --> 00:02:55,165 and giving them really pinpointed responsibilities 76 00:02:55,265 --> 00:02:58,925 to elevate, um, their own worth and value to the company. 77 00:02:58,980 --> 00:03:00,965 Right? I think they, we've seen people 78 00:03:01,025 --> 00:03:02,645 who take on the responsibilities 79 00:03:02,665 --> 00:03:03,845 as infection control coordinators. 80 00:03:03,845 --> 00:03:05,125 They're more satisfied in their job. 81 00:03:05,125 --> 00:03:06,685 They feel like they're contributing more to the team, 82 00:03:06,685 --> 00:03:07,725 which we'll get to in a second. 83 00:03:08,185 --> 00:03:10,845 But I wanna take just a quick step back and, and, and, 84 00:03:10,845 --> 00:03:12,725 and Kelly, I want you to kind of bring us back here, 85 00:03:12,725 --> 00:03:16,205 which is, what is an infection control coordinator? 86 00:03:16,205 --> 00:03:18,645 If that's the thing, if that's really the thing 87 00:03:18,645 --> 00:03:20,685 that's gonna make infection control 88 00:03:21,065 --> 00:03:22,645 and prevention sticky at the office 89 00:03:22,645 --> 00:03:23,765 level, I want to know about it. 90 00:03:23,835 --> 00:03:24,885 Tell me, what is that? 91 00:03:25,025 --> 00:03:26,605 Who is that person? What are they doing? 92 00:03:27,035 --> 00:03:29,125 - Yeah, so an infection control coordinator 93 00:03:29,125 --> 00:03:31,125 or infection infection prevention coordinator is 94 00:03:31,125 --> 00:03:32,325 what the CDC calls 'em as. 95 00:03:32,515 --> 00:03:35,085 That person is really gonna take this on as their baby. 96 00:03:35,085 --> 00:03:38,845 They're gonna look at your overall, uh, procedures, 97 00:03:39,165 --> 00:03:40,765 policies, and they're going to put into place 98 00:03:40,785 --> 00:03:45,005 for their office by creating simple policies, procedures, 99 00:03:45,055 --> 00:03:49,165 developing in them, and then training the team on not only 100 00:03:49,165 --> 00:03:52,285 what to do, but why it's so important to follow these, 101 00:03:52,295 --> 00:03:54,405 these policies and procedures that are in place. 102 00:03:54,945 --> 00:03:58,365 Um, and, and it's not really just assigning someone to do it 103 00:03:58,365 --> 00:03:59,525 because this is a huge role, 104 00:03:59,865 --> 00:04:01,645 but it's really investing in that person. 105 00:04:02,265 --> 00:04:04,125 Um, and, and just knowing, hey, 106 00:04:04,125 --> 00:04:06,805 they're taking on an additional role in, on top of 107 00:04:06,805 --> 00:04:08,925 what they're already doing, but we're gonna invest in them 108 00:04:08,925 --> 00:04:11,845 because I think, I think you're gonna see a huge return on 109 00:04:11,845 --> 00:04:14,405 investment by investing in that person 110 00:04:14,985 --> 00:04:16,165 to, to better help the 111 00:04:16,165 --> 00:04:17,165 - Team. 112 00:04:17,165 --> 00:04:18,325 Yeah. Something that we've seen, right, is, is, 113 00:04:18,465 --> 00:04:21,285 is when you don't have that individual, not always, 114 00:04:21,385 --> 00:04:23,245 but you have this kind of bystander effect 115 00:04:23,245 --> 00:04:24,605 where everyone's kind of pointing the finger 116 00:04:24,625 --> 00:04:26,365 of who's doing safety, right? 117 00:04:26,365 --> 00:04:27,445 Well, I think they're doing it, and 118 00:04:27,445 --> 00:04:28,805 that person's like, well, I'm not really doing it. 119 00:04:28,805 --> 00:04:29,845 I think this person's doing it. 120 00:04:29,985 --> 00:04:32,285 And there's not that designated individual 121 00:04:32,285 --> 00:04:33,365 that's saying, I'm doing it. 122 00:04:33,545 --> 00:04:35,285 I'm gonna own it. And then to your point, 123 00:04:35,285 --> 00:04:37,165 and something that we'll explore a little bit here is 124 00:04:37,165 --> 00:04:39,645 that team bringing the team in 125 00:04:40,145 --> 00:04:43,565 to understanding why this is important creates such a 126 00:04:43,565 --> 00:04:44,685 meaningful culture shift. 127 00:04:44,685 --> 00:04:45,765 Mm-Hmm. , right? Because I think one 128 00:04:45,765 --> 00:04:47,525 of the things, gosh, there's so much we can talk about here. 129 00:04:48,125 --> 00:04:51,685 I think one of the things that we've seen is usually not 130 00:04:51,685 --> 00:04:52,965 always, usually the, 131 00:04:53,145 --> 00:04:55,285 the infection control coordinator responsibilities goes 132 00:04:55,285 --> 00:04:56,605 to a dental assistant, right? 133 00:04:56,745 --> 00:04:58,925 Who is usually the one that's doing infection control 134 00:04:58,925 --> 00:05:00,045 anyway at the office level. 135 00:05:00,385 --> 00:05:02,485 And so they get that, that kind of new sense, 136 00:05:02,485 --> 00:05:05,005 that newfound responsibility given to them by the dsso 137 00:05:05,005 --> 00:05:07,165 and the compliance manager to really enact those things. 138 00:05:08,475 --> 00:05:11,165 That really cultivates a sense of like, 139 00:05:11,165 --> 00:05:12,525 wow, I can, this is great. 140 00:05:12,645 --> 00:05:14,205 I, this is my responsibility. 141 00:05:14,205 --> 00:05:16,325 This is something that I can really contribute to the team. 142 00:05:16,905 --> 00:05:20,045 And then that gives them a launching point for them to kind 143 00:05:20,045 --> 00:05:21,165 of bring the team in 144 00:05:21,465 --> 00:05:24,565 and make it more of a celebratory culture related thing, 145 00:05:24,565 --> 00:05:27,365 where it's like, this isn't just so 146 00:05:27,365 --> 00:05:28,925 and so's whoever's job, right? 147 00:05:29,125 --> 00:05:31,645 Everyone points the finger. This is this person and they're, 148 00:05:31,645 --> 00:05:33,365 and they're helping us be a better team. 149 00:05:33,365 --> 00:05:36,045 They're helping us be a safer environment. 150 00:05:36,355 --> 00:05:38,565 What are some of the things that you've seen when you've 151 00:05:38,595 --> 00:05:39,765 stepped into offices 152 00:05:40,145 --> 00:05:42,325 and there is an infection control coordinator? 153 00:05:42,465 --> 00:05:44,085 What's the team dynamic like? 154 00:05:44,345 --> 00:05:46,125 How, how do they feel about their job? 155 00:05:46,195 --> 00:05:47,965 What, just like that at that office level? 156 00:05:47,965 --> 00:05:49,245 What does that environment feel like? 157 00:05:49,585 --> 00:05:51,165 - You, you said something that I wanted to kind 158 00:05:51,165 --> 00:05:53,885 of touch on is that you wanna have an infection control 159 00:05:53,885 --> 00:05:56,485 coordinator for sure, but it's never just their job. 160 00:05:57,355 --> 00:06:00,485 It's their job to really teach the team on why. 161 00:06:00,665 --> 00:06:03,325 But it's everyone's job to play a part when it comes 162 00:06:03,325 --> 00:06:06,565 to safety, because there can be policies and procedures and, 163 00:06:06,585 --> 00:06:08,805 and clear defined SOPs in place, 164 00:06:09,145 --> 00:06:11,045 but without everybody participating 165 00:06:11,045 --> 00:06:14,325 and everybody knowing those, then it's just, 166 00:06:15,035 --> 00:06:16,685 it's gonna be really frustrating for 167 00:06:16,685 --> 00:06:18,165 that infection control coordinator 168 00:06:18,165 --> 00:06:20,285 because they can have the best policies. 169 00:06:20,285 --> 00:06:21,605 They can really do all the best training, 170 00:06:21,605 --> 00:06:22,965 but if everyone's not playing a part, 171 00:06:23,275 --> 00:06:24,365 they're gonna get frustrated. 172 00:06:24,365 --> 00:06:25,645 And that might be why they're leaving. 173 00:06:26,025 --> 00:06:27,805 But if they're really investing 174 00:06:27,805 --> 00:06:29,845 and everyone is seeing the, the, the goal 175 00:06:29,865 --> 00:06:31,525 and the the reason behind everything, 176 00:06:32,075 --> 00:06:33,845 it's gonna build that team. 177 00:06:34,075 --> 00:06:35,565 It's gonna make such a strong team 178 00:06:35,565 --> 00:06:37,365 because everyone is on the same page 179 00:06:37,905 --> 00:06:39,845 and they don't have to worry about like, oh, well, so 180 00:06:39,845 --> 00:06:41,325 and so does this, and so and so does that. 181 00:06:41,385 --> 00:06:43,485 No, we all do this for a reason 182 00:06:43,485 --> 00:06:44,685 because we care about each other. 183 00:06:44,985 --> 00:06:47,285 We wanna lift each other up, we wanna protect each other. 184 00:06:47,345 --> 00:06:49,885 We worked hard to get here and we wanna stay here. 185 00:06:50,995 --> 00:06:55,135 - Mm. And it, it's amazing. There's so much data out there. 186 00:06:55,475 --> 00:06:58,815 Um, listener, if you wanted to tap into this, uh, we've, 187 00:06:58,815 --> 00:07:01,415 we've done our own even internal research with, with some 188 00:07:01,415 --> 00:07:02,975 of our dental assistants, 189 00:07:03,145 --> 00:07:06,255 where we ask them not about not just job satisfaction, 190 00:07:06,275 --> 00:07:09,455 but they're, do they feel connected or do they feel lonely? 191 00:07:09,795 --> 00:07:12,095 Do they feel like they're, they're out kind of on an island 192 00:07:12,825 --> 00:07:14,175 doing their own thing 193 00:07:14,275 --> 00:07:15,975 and the other team is kind of living in it? 194 00:07:15,975 --> 00:07:19,055 And you'd be genuinely surprised how many people feel 195 00:07:19,635 --> 00:07:21,895 dental assistants feel dissatisfied 196 00:07:21,895 --> 00:07:23,775 or feel like they're not making an impact, 197 00:07:23,995 --> 00:07:25,455 or they're, they're lonely in their own job. 198 00:07:25,475 --> 00:07:29,975 And I think this particular responsibility really begins 199 00:07:30,015 --> 00:07:32,935 to bridge the gap for that team, for them to, 200 00:07:32,995 --> 00:07:35,095 to really feel like they're contributing in a bigger way. 201 00:07:35,515 --> 00:07:37,815 And to your point, you're right, this is all of us. 202 00:07:38,075 --> 00:07:40,575 We all need to play a part in making a safer patient 203 00:07:40,575 --> 00:07:43,055 experience, making a safer office environment. 204 00:07:43,195 --> 00:07:45,815 And I think that cultivates a really unique team dynamic, 205 00:07:46,435 --> 00:07:48,855 um, which has so much profound 206 00:07:49,615 --> 00:07:52,135 implications at the DSO level, right? 207 00:07:52,315 --> 00:07:55,055 To your point, there's a way higher retention rate, right? 208 00:07:55,055 --> 00:07:56,415 They're more satisfied, they're gonna 209 00:07:56,415 --> 00:07:57,455 stay in their role longer. 210 00:07:57,755 --> 00:07:59,815 You don't have to constantly rehire and retrain. 211 00:07:59,815 --> 00:08:01,895 That's a cost savings. You begin 212 00:08:01,895 --> 00:08:04,895 to establish a credibility organizational wide 213 00:08:05,025 --> 00:08:07,575 where people start to show up at different offices 214 00:08:07,955 --> 00:08:11,215 and have a, the exact same experience of like, wow, 215 00:08:11,525 --> 00:08:12,775 they care about each other. 216 00:08:12,965 --> 00:08:14,495 They're upholding a culture of safety. 217 00:08:14,495 --> 00:08:16,295 That's more than I've ever experienced. 218 00:08:16,855 --> 00:08:18,135 Patients walk in, 219 00:08:18,195 --> 00:08:20,855 and you've seen both sides of this, no doubt, Kelly, 220 00:08:20,855 --> 00:08:21,895 where you've walked in and you said, 221 00:08:22,055 --> 00:08:23,735 I would never go to this office ever again. 222 00:08:24,035 --> 00:08:26,055 And you've walked into and said they are 223 00:08:26,055 --> 00:08:27,295 doing something right? 224 00:08:27,315 --> 00:08:30,375 Mm-Hmm. and how powerful of an experience 225 00:08:30,375 --> 00:08:34,335 that is when you have that like environment people walk into 226 00:08:34,335 --> 00:08:36,135 and say, this is, I want to come back to this place. 227 00:08:36,155 --> 00:08:37,775 So now you have higher patient retention, 228 00:08:38,195 --> 00:08:39,735 and I don't wanna make, you know, 229 00:08:39,735 --> 00:08:41,815 infection control coordinator feel like it's the missing 230 00:08:41,815 --> 00:08:43,895 thing that'll solve every DSOs problems. 231 00:08:44,435 --> 00:08:46,695 But I do think, and I think you've seen this, so feel free 232 00:08:46,695 --> 00:08:48,495 to speak more to this, you have seen 233 00:08:49,115 --> 00:08:52,215 an infection control coordinator contribute to all 234 00:08:52,215 --> 00:08:53,415 of those things because of the 235 00:08:53,415 --> 00:08:54,695 impact they have at the office level. 236 00:08:55,205 --> 00:08:56,405 - A hundred percent. You know, 237 00:08:56,405 --> 00:08:58,325 and you'll see a lot of times you'll maybe go back to 238 00:08:58,325 --> 00:08:59,565 that office and the only person 239 00:08:59,565 --> 00:09:01,565 that is their people got other jobs, 240 00:09:01,565 --> 00:09:03,725 but that infection control coordinator is still there 241 00:09:04,265 --> 00:09:07,245 and they still have so much passion about what they do. 242 00:09:07,705 --> 00:09:09,045 Um, and patients feel it. 243 00:09:09,265 --> 00:09:11,125 And you can look at their reviews on, on Google 244 00:09:11,125 --> 00:09:12,205 or Facebook, whatever, and they 245 00:09:12,305 --> 00:09:14,485 see patients are feeling safe. 246 00:09:14,485 --> 00:09:17,085 They're coming in, even if there's a total different staff, 247 00:09:17,385 --> 00:09:19,285 if they feel like, Hey, this is a clean 248 00:09:19,285 --> 00:09:20,365 and safe environment. 249 00:09:21,105 --> 00:09:22,485 I'm gonna tell my friends about this 250 00:09:22,505 --> 00:09:24,005 and I feel okay with this. 251 00:09:24,125 --> 00:09:25,685 'cause I, I feel like I'm taking care of 252 00:09:25,685 --> 00:09:26,685 and that everybody cares. 253 00:09:27,065 --> 00:09:28,765 Um, and that has a lot to do 254 00:09:28,955 --> 00:09:30,405 with the infection control coordinator. 255 00:09:30,405 --> 00:09:32,725 Just a lot. But really bringing that team together. 256 00:09:33,075 --> 00:09:34,325 - Yeah, absolutely. 257 00:09:35,065 --> 00:09:38,125 Um, I wanna really make it super practical 258 00:09:38,145 --> 00:09:40,885 for those listening, um, that is kind 259 00:09:40,885 --> 00:09:43,725 of in the compliance space, uh, will, 260 00:09:43,725 --> 00:09:44,965 will be dealing with this, right? 261 00:09:44,965 --> 00:09:46,685 And, and you're hearing about the infection control 262 00:09:46,685 --> 00:09:49,085 coordinator and you think, okay, well how do I, how do I, 263 00:09:49,425 --> 00:09:50,765 how do I realistically do that? 264 00:09:50,765 --> 00:09:52,045 Does, is this actually scalable? 265 00:09:52,525 --> 00:09:54,645 I know from Kelly's experience, it absolutely is. Right? 266 00:09:54,645 --> 00:09:56,805 Kelly works with some of the largest DSOs in the nation, 267 00:09:57,105 --> 00:09:59,205 and she also works with, uh, groups 268 00:09:59,265 --> 00:10:00,405 of a couple dozen, right? 269 00:10:00,405 --> 00:10:03,485 So she's seen the opportunity of this to be scalable. 270 00:10:03,585 --> 00:10:05,165 So I want to kind of turn over to Kelly and, 271 00:10:05,165 --> 00:10:08,205 and give you some, hopefully some helpful next steps 272 00:10:08,225 --> 00:10:10,165 for you if you are interested in making 273 00:10:10,165 --> 00:10:11,245 infection control sticky. 274 00:10:11,545 --> 00:10:13,765 And, and this kind of piqued your interest in like, 275 00:10:13,795 --> 00:10:17,165 what would an infection control coordinator look like for me 276 00:10:17,345 --> 00:10:19,685 to begin building out in my organization? 277 00:10:19,935 --> 00:10:23,085 Kelly, how can they do that really well? 278 00:10:23,085 --> 00:10:25,245 Like practically, what's their next step? 279 00:10:26,165 --> 00:10:27,455 - Yeah. So I think from, from kind 280 00:10:27,455 --> 00:10:28,495 of looking at the top down, 281 00:10:28,655 --> 00:10:30,295 I think consistency is gonna be key. 282 00:10:30,635 --> 00:10:34,535 And so having that, that broad, um, safety manual, that, 283 00:10:34,535 --> 00:10:38,735 that broad, broad policies, procedures across the board, um, 284 00:10:38,735 --> 00:10:40,655 but then you're going to kind of pass those down, 285 00:10:40,655 --> 00:10:41,655 whether it's the regionals 286 00:10:41,655 --> 00:10:44,775 and then the, um, even further down into the, 287 00:10:44,775 --> 00:10:46,695 just the office manager, whatever that's gonna be. 288 00:10:47,435 --> 00:10:49,415 And then you're gonna really invest in those infection 289 00:10:49,415 --> 00:10:50,735 control coordinators, because a lot 290 00:10:50,735 --> 00:10:52,095 of people won't even take on that job 291 00:10:52,095 --> 00:10:53,735 because they know it's a harder role 292 00:10:54,115 --> 00:10:56,175 and they're not feeling maybe empowered. 293 00:10:56,175 --> 00:10:58,015 So really investing in them, empowering them. 294 00:10:58,495 --> 00:11:00,375 I would even have like a network where they can talk 295 00:11:00,375 --> 00:11:03,015 to other infection control coordinators throughout your 296 00:11:03,215 --> 00:11:06,175 organization to where they can feel like, Hey, I, 297 00:11:06,315 --> 00:11:07,815 I'm important, or I'm gonna roll some 298 00:11:07,815 --> 00:11:08,935 ideas off of this person. 299 00:11:08,965 --> 00:11:10,735 They seem like they've got it down in this area. 300 00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:13,895 I don't really, I feel like I'm lacking. What can I do? 301 00:11:14,315 --> 00:11:15,855 And so they have that support network 302 00:11:16,035 --> 00:11:18,055 and they just feel supported on every level. 303 00:11:18,515 --> 00:11:20,415 Um, and that they're making difference because they are. 304 00:11:20,875 --> 00:11:21,975 But it really starts with having 305 00:11:21,975 --> 00:11:25,335 that consistent policy across the board, passing it down, 306 00:11:25,335 --> 00:11:26,855 and just so then the, 307 00:11:26,875 --> 00:11:29,655 the infection control coordinator at the office doesn't have 308 00:11:29,655 --> 00:11:32,055 to come up with a whole policy for your organization. 309 00:11:32,055 --> 00:11:34,175 That's, that's at the top. That's your job. 310 00:11:34,475 --> 00:11:36,415 But it's their job to really fine tune it to the, 311 00:11:36,475 --> 00:11:38,575 the policies and procedures, the equipment, 312 00:11:38,575 --> 00:11:40,175 the products, whatever they're doing at the office. 313 00:11:40,595 --> 00:11:42,855 - And one of the thing I think the side benefits of that, 314 00:11:42,855 --> 00:11:44,695 which we, we alluded to, right, is if they, 315 00:11:44,695 --> 00:11:47,775 if they ever did move out or move up or, or right. 316 00:11:47,805 --> 00:11:51,295 Move around, they, they've, because of their focus, 317 00:11:51,295 --> 00:11:52,615 because of their intentionality, 318 00:11:53,075 --> 00:11:57,165 they've built those things in place at the office level so 319 00:11:57,165 --> 00:12:00,085 that the new person coming in isn't having to start 320 00:12:00,605 --> 00:12:01,805 straight from ground zero, right? 321 00:12:01,805 --> 00:12:03,805 They have all of these things at their disposal 322 00:12:03,865 --> 00:12:07,245 to really dive into and learn, which I think really helps 323 00:12:07,275 --> 00:12:09,325 with just onboarding somebody effectively 324 00:12:09,745 --> 00:12:12,445 and mitigating that, that season of risk 325 00:12:12,445 --> 00:12:14,845 where they're like trying to figure out safety once again. 326 00:12:14,845 --> 00:12:18,005 Right? It's already there. And to your point that I see 327 00:12:18,005 --> 00:12:19,165 that infection control coordinator 328 00:12:19,165 --> 00:12:20,445 making a team effort Mm-Hmm. 329 00:12:20,485 --> 00:12:22,405 , now the team can step up, right? Absolutely. 330 00:12:22,405 --> 00:12:23,845 If they ever move out or they move around, 331 00:12:23,845 --> 00:12:26,245 it's like the team can step up while this person is 332 00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:27,925 onboarding, which I think has huge impact. It's huge. 333 00:12:27,995 --> 00:12:31,045 - Yeah. And just having those simple pol, simple one page, 334 00:12:31,065 --> 00:12:32,125 Hey, this is how we do things. 335 00:12:32,475 --> 00:12:34,525 Yeah. If they move on, or if someone, they can grab 336 00:12:34,525 --> 00:12:36,525 that one pager and they know how to do that procedure. 337 00:12:36,525 --> 00:12:39,125 Maybe they don't do it all the time, but they know how 338 00:12:39,285 --> 00:12:41,205 'cause they've been trained and they have those, those notes 339 00:12:41,205 --> 00:12:42,525 that steps there to help 'em. 340 00:12:42,945 --> 00:12:46,005 And even just onboarding new people, maybe it's a hygienist 341 00:12:46,005 --> 00:12:48,405 or a licensed assistant, even though they're licensed, 342 00:12:48,645 --> 00:12:52,085 doesn't mean they know the processes at your office. 343 00:12:52,145 --> 00:12:54,365 And it's not fair to not train them. 344 00:12:54,365 --> 00:12:56,005 They deserve to be trained, um, 345 00:12:56,315 --> 00:12:58,085 because we want to make sure everything 346 00:12:58,085 --> 00:12:59,245 is done the correct way 347 00:13:00,385 --> 00:13:03,325 - And listener, uh, you have awesome resources. 348 00:13:03,465 --> 00:13:06,125 You aren't alone, right? You are not alone in this. 349 00:13:06,305 --> 00:13:09,405 You have people who this is their job, right? 350 00:13:09,435 --> 00:13:13,685 It's Kelly's job to make sure that these things are scalable 351 00:13:13,905 --> 00:13:17,245 and effective and repeatable at your organization's level, 352 00:13:17,465 --> 00:13:19,125 all the way down to the office level. 353 00:13:19,705 --> 00:13:22,565 And so Kelly is an incredible resource for you, if 354 00:13:22,565 --> 00:13:24,125 that is also something you're interested in. 355 00:13:24,125 --> 00:13:26,525 Kelly, tell us a little bit about Safelink. 356 00:13:26,925 --> 00:13:28,605 I know we alluded to at the beginning of the intro, 357 00:13:28,625 --> 00:13:30,285 but how can we get, how can the 358 00:13:30,285 --> 00:13:31,325 listeners get in touch with you? 359 00:13:31,635 --> 00:13:34,085 - Yeah, so, um, you can reach out to us anytime. 360 00:13:34,465 --> 00:13:36,005 Um, what I really think, uh, 361 00:13:36,005 --> 00:13:38,925 sets Safelink apart from other consulting agencies is we 362 00:13:38,925 --> 00:13:40,365 work in all 50 states. 363 00:13:40,365 --> 00:13:43,205 So we're nationwide. We know the intricacies of 364 00:13:43,735 --> 00:13:47,125 state OSHA plans versus federal versus each state dental 365 00:13:47,445 --> 00:13:49,685 practice act, what public health wants to know. 366 00:13:50,105 --> 00:13:52,045 Um, and so we can be that third party to really help you 367 00:13:52,045 --> 00:13:53,285 with that overall plan. 368 00:13:53,705 --> 00:13:55,885 Um, and we can also work with you at the office level 369 00:13:55,905 --> 00:13:58,365 to make sure that those one page policies are, 370 00:13:58,505 --> 00:13:59,605 are procedures, are being, 371 00:13:59,905 --> 00:14:01,445 are being written, are being helped. 372 00:14:01,465 --> 00:14:04,485 We can be that, that partner to really walk alongside, um, 373 00:14:05,275 --> 00:14:07,445 your whole compliance team or at the office level. 374 00:14:07,865 --> 00:14:09,565 Um, but yeah, you can reach out to, uh, 375 00:14:09,565 --> 00:14:10,885 safelink consulting.com 376 00:14:10,945 --> 00:14:13,965 or, um, my email's justKelly@safelinkconsulting.com. 377 00:14:14,075 --> 00:14:16,205 - Awesome. Kelly, thank you so much. 378 00:14:16,205 --> 00:14:19,645 Thank you for joining me on the podcast today. All right. 379 00:14:20,225 --> 00:14:23,885 Our hope is that you were able to take away one 380 00:14:24,025 --> 00:14:26,405 or two nuggets of information 381 00:14:26,405 --> 00:14:28,485 that you can use in your organization 382 00:14:29,025 --> 00:14:30,845 to really elevate not just 383 00:14:30,845 --> 00:14:32,965 that team dynamic at the office level, 384 00:14:33,425 --> 00:14:36,765 but really cement, infection, control, 385 00:14:36,825 --> 00:14:39,245 and safety all across your organization 386 00:14:39,595 --> 00:14:42,565 because you have that individual advocating 387 00:14:42,585 --> 00:14:43,845 for it at that office level. 388 00:14:43,985 --> 00:14:46,245 Uh, again, you have incredible resources like Kelly. 389 00:14:46,705 --> 00:14:48,685 Uh, you have incredible resources like Pro Edge. 390 00:14:48,745 --> 00:14:51,470 We deal specifically with Waterlines, waterline compliance, 391 00:14:51,470 --> 00:14:53,390 waterline Safety, and Waterline Solutions. 392 00:14:53,745 --> 00:14:56,765 If that's an area that you are struggling with 393 00:14:56,785 --> 00:14:59,405 or your organization is really struggling to do well, 394 00:14:59,465 --> 00:15:00,685 please reach out to us. 395 00:15:00,745 --> 00:15:04,085 We have unbelievable staff ready to partner 396 00:15:04,085 --> 00:15:06,205 with you in making that simple, making that repeatable, 397 00:15:06,205 --> 00:15:08,365 making that scalable for you. 398 00:15:08,505 --> 00:15:10,445 And we partner with you every step of the way, 399 00:15:10,475 --> 00:15:11,725 just like Safelink does, 400 00:15:12,025 --> 00:15:14,965 to make sure your team feels equipped and resourced. 401 00:15:15,025 --> 00:15:18,325 To do that well, you can reach us@prodental.com. 402 00:15:18,325 --> 00:15:21,365 You can also call 8 8 8 8 4 3 3 3 4 3. 403 00:15:21,415 --> 00:15:24,085 Again, thank you so much for taking the time to listen. 404 00:15:24,465 --> 00:15:25,965 We hope this was valuable to you. 405 00:15:26,265 --> 00:15:29,245 We hope you walked away understanding maybe something you 406 00:15:29,305 --> 00:15:32,205 can do to elevate your organization even more 407 00:15:32,625 --> 00:15:34,725 and create a safer environment for both your team 408 00:15:35,185 --> 00:15:36,245 and your patients. 409 00:15:36,415 --> 00:15:40,765 Thank you for all that you do to help keep patients safe. 410 00:15:41,155 --> 00:15:41,845 Take care, everyone.