Dental Nurse Onboarding Checklist

Dental Nurse Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Dental Nurse starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Dental Nurse, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Dental Nurse onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Dental Nurse Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The dental nurse attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s policies, procedures, and culture. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.

2. Introduction to the team: The dental nurse is introduced to their colleagues, including dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental nurses. This task is usually performed by the practice manager or a senior dental nurse.

3. Review of job responsibilities: The dental nurse receives a detailed explanation of their job responsibilities, including assisting dentists during procedures, sterilizing instruments, taking patient histories, and maintaining patient records. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a senior dental nurse.

4. Training on dental equipment and tools: The dental nurse undergoes training on how to operate and maintain various dental equipment and tools, such as dental chairs, X-ray machines, and suction devices. This task is usually performed by a dental equipment specialist or a senior dental nurse.

5. Infection control protocols: The dental nurse is trained on infection control protocols, including proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and sterilization techniques. This task is typically performed by a dental nurse with expertise in infection control or a designated infection control officer.

6. Familiarization with dental software: The dental nurse learns how to use the dental practice management software for scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and processing billing. This task is usually performed by the practice manager or a designated software trainer.

7. Emergency procedures: The dental nurse receives training on emergency procedures, such as handling medical emergencies, managing allergic reactions, and performing CPR. This task is typically performed by a certified CPR instructor or a senior dental nurse with emergency training.

8. Shadowing experienced dental nurses: The dental nurse shadows experienced dental nurses to observe and learn best practices in patient care, chairside assistance, and efficient workflow. This task is usually coordinated by the practice manager or a senior dental nurse.

9. Introduction to patient communication: The dental nurse is trained on effective communication techniques with patients, including active listening, empathy, and clear explanations of treatment procedures. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a senior dental nurse.

10. Compliance with regulatory requirements: The dental nurse is educated on the legal and regulatory requirements governing dental practices, such as patient confidentiality, health and safety regulations, and data protection laws. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated compliance officer.

11. Continuing education opportunities: The dental nurse is informed about the company’s commitment to ongoing professional development and provided with information on relevant courses, conferences, and workshops. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated training coordinator.

12. Performance evaluation and feedback: The dental nurse is informed about the company’s performance evaluation process and provided with regular feedback to support their professional growth. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated supervisor.

13. Introduction to company policies and benefits: The dental nurse is provided with information on company policies, such as vacation leave, sick leave, and employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated benefits coordinator.

14. Introduction to dental specialties: The dental nurse is introduced to different dental specialties, such as orthodontics, periodontics, and endodontics, to gain a broader understanding of the field. This task is usually performed by the practice manager or a senior dental nurse.

15. Introduction to local referral network: The dental nurse is familiarized with the local referral network, including specialists, dental laboratories, and other healthcare providers, to facilitate seamless patient care. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated referral coordinator.

16. Review of safety protocols: The dental nurse undergoes training on safety protocols, including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, fire safety, and evacuation procedures. This task is typically performed by a designated safety officer or a senior dental nurse.

17. Introduction to practice-specific protocols: The dental nurse is educated on practice-specific protocols, such as appointment scheduling, patient recall systems, and administrative procedures. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated protocol coordinator.

18. Introduction to dental insurance: The dental nurse is provided with an overview of dental insurance processes, including verifying coverage, submitting claims, and explaining insurance benefits to patients. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated insurance coordinator.

19. Introduction to community outreach programs: The dental nurse is informed about the company’s involvement in community outreach programs, such as free dental clinics or oral health education initiatives. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated community outreach coordinator.

20. Introduction to professional organizations: The dental nurse is encouraged to join professional organizations, such as the British Association of Dental Nurses, to stay updated on industry trends and network with peers. This task is typically performed by the practice manager or a designated professional development coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Dental Nurse checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Dental Nurse up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.