Opening and closing routines, sterilization, compliance, and the operational work that keeps a dental practice running. Published by Dental Document and by practices who share what works for them.
Every step carries the reason it matters and how to do it, so a checklist here is something you can hand a new team member on their first day, not just a list to tick through. Reading is free and needs no account.
Annual regulatory compliance, OSHA/HIPAA training, license renewals, and comprehensive safety reviews required by federal and state law.
Daily closing procedures for the clinical team to shut down equipment, complete sterilization, and prepare operatories for the next day.
Daily opening for clinical team - equipment, sterilization, and operatory prep.
Daily tasks requiring doctor attention including clinical note review, treatment plan oversight, and practice management engagement.
Monthly review and drill for medical emergencies, fire evacuation, and active threat scenarios.
Monthly financial, compliance, and operational close-out procedures.
Structured response protocol when clinical or office equipment fails, covering safety, documentation, repair coordination, and workflow continuity.
Daily closing procedures for the front desk to reconcile finances, prepare for the next day, and secure patient information.
Daily opening procedures for the front desk team.
Closing tasks for the hygiene department after the last patient.
Daily setup tasks for the hygiene department before the first patient.
Weekly infection control compliance check covering sterilization, PPE, and surface disinfection.
Send, track and seat a laboratory case without losing a day to a missing impression, a wrong shade or a case that never shipped.
Final closing procedures for the manager or last person leaving. Financial review, facility security, and alarm activation.
Monthly operational, compliance, and facility maintenance tasks covering equipment inspection, financial review, and regulatory requirements.
Daily 10-minute team huddle to review the schedule, flag concerns, and align priorities.
Comprehensive onboarding checklist for new hires covering OSHA training, HIPAA compliance, practice orientation, equipment training, and administrative setup. Triggered when a new team member is added.
Complete workflow for processing a new patient from arrival through treatment planning.
Daily opening for office manager - production, huddle, financials.
Infection control and room setup procedures between every patient. Ensures operatory is properly decontaminated and prepared for the next procedure per CDC and OSHA guidelines.
Structured process for documenting, investigating, and resolving patient complaints to protect the practice and improve patient satisfaction.
Immediate response protocol for needlestick injuries and other bloodborne pathogen exposures. Time-sensitive - initiate within minutes of the exposure event.
Quarterly compliance, safety, and operational review covering equipment maintenance, emergency preparedness, and financial health.
Step-by-step instrument reprocessing protocol from contaminated receipt through verified sterile storage. Follows CDC, OSAP, and manufacturer IFU requirements.
Weekly maintenance, infection control, and compliance tasks that ensure equipment reliability, regulatory adherence, and proactive patient outreach.
Weekly review of clinical and office supply levels with reorder tracking.