--- title: "Dental Practice Glossary: 255 Terms Defined | Copeland Consulting Services" description: "Plain-English definitions of 255 dental practice terms: management, team, technology and organized dentistry, each with its source, from Copeland Consulting..." url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary publisher: Copeland Consulting Services email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact --- # Dental practice glossary Search the glossary No terms match. Try a shorter word. ## A [Academy of General Dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/academy-of-general-dentistry) The Academy of General Dentistry is a professional association for general dentists that supports continuing education and recognizes members through its Fellowship, Mastership and other awards. [Accountability](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/accountability) Taking responsibility for agreed actions and results, accepting that decisions will be reviewed and that consequences may follow from that review, as defined in research on the idea. [Accounts receivable](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/accounts-receivable) Accounts receivable is money owed to a practice for services already provided, from patients who have not yet paid and from insurers that have not yet paid claims. [Active listening](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/active-listening) A communication skill in which the listener gives full attention to the speaker, notes the content, intent and feeling of what is said, and confirms what was heard. [ADA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ada) The short form of American Dental Association, the national professional association of U.S. dentists, not to be confused with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [ADA 10 Under 10 Award](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ada-10-under-10-award) An ADA award that recognizes ten dentists who graduated less than ten years ago and show excellence and inspire others. [Adjusted EBITDA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/adjusted-ebitda) Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA after one-time, unusual or owner-specific items are added back or removed, to show the earning power a buyer could expect from the practice. [AGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/agd) AGD is the short form of Academy of General Dentistry, the association for general dentists that runs the PACE program and the Fellowship and Mastership awards. [AI dental scribe](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ai-dental-scribe) An AI dental scribe is software that listens to a visit, with consent, and drafts clinical notes for the dentist to review and approve. [American College of Dentists](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-college-of-dentists) The American College of Dentists is an honor society for dentists, with fellowship by invitation only, that focuses on leadership and ethics in dentistry. [American Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/american-dental-association) The national professional association of dentists in the United States, with a stated mission to help dentists succeed and support the advancement of the health of the public. [Americans with Disabilities Act](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/americans-with-disabilities-act) The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that bars discrimination based on disability in jobs, public places, services and communication. [Artificial intelligence in dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/artificial-intelligence-in-dentistry) Artificial intelligence in dentistry is software that studies images or records to help with diagnosis, and that can also support office tasks such as notes. [Asset sale](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/asset-sale) An asset sale is a sale in which the buyer purchases specific assets of the practice, such as equipment, records and goodwill, rather than the owner's company itself. [Associate compensation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-compensation) Associate compensation is how an associate dentist is paid, such as a salary, a share of production or collections, a daily rate or a combination. [Associate dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-dentist) An associate dentist is a dentist who works in a practice owned by someone else, usually as an employee or contractor, and is paid by salary, production or collections. [Associateship](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associateship) An associateship is the working arrangement in which a dentist joins a practice owned by another dentist, sometimes with a plan to buy in or buy the practice later. ## B [Balance sheet](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/balance-sheet) A balance sheet is a report of what a practice owns, what it owes and what is left for the owners on a single date. [Benchmark](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/benchmark) A benchmark is a reference figure, often drawn from similar practices or organizations, that an owner uses to judge whether the practice's own results are high, low or typical. [Block schedule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/block-schedule) A block schedule reserves set blocks of time in the day for certain procedures, patient types or providers, so the right kind of appointment fits the right time. [Bloodborne pathogens standard](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/bloodborne-pathogens-standard) The bloodborne pathogens standard is the OSHA rule that protects workers from exposure to blood and other body fluids that can carry disease. [Bonus program](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/bonus-program) A plan that pays staff an extra amount in addition to base pay for set results, such as production, collections or quality, and that falls under wage and tax rules. [Brand ambassador](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/brand-ambassador) A brand ambassador is a person who represents a company's products in public, often in exchange for pay, free products or other benefits. [Business associate agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/business-associate-agreement) A business associate agreement is a written contract with a vendor that handles patient health information for the practice, setting rules for how the vendor protects it. [Business continuity plan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/business-continuity-plan) A business continuity plan is a written plan for keeping a practice running, or restarting it quickly, after a disaster, outage or other major disruption. [Business plan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/business-plan) A business plan is a written document that describes how a practice will operate and make money, used for planning and to show lenders or investors. [Buy-in](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/buy-in) The purchase of an ownership share in an existing practice, often by a dentist already working there as an associate. [Buy-sell agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/buy-sell-agreement) A contract that sets the terms for an owner's exit and requires that owner's share to be sold to the business or the remaining owners. ## C [CAD/CAM](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cad-cam) CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, the technology used to design a restoration on screen and then mill or print it. [Cancellation policy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cancellation-policy) A cancellation policy is the written rule that tells patients how much notice to give before changing an appointment and what happens if they do not. [Case acceptance](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/case-acceptance) Case acceptance is the share of recommended dental treatment that patients agree to schedule or pay for, often measured as a percentage of treatment presented. [Case presentation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/case-presentation) A case presentation is the conversation in which the dentist or team explains diagnosis, a recommended treatment plan, options and costs, and the patient decides how to proceed. [Cash flow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cash-flow) Cash flow is the movement of money into and out of a practice over time, showing whether cash received covers the bills coming due. [CBCT](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cbct) CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography, a dental x-ray method that rotates around the patient and builds a three-dimensional image of the teeth and jaws. [CDT code](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cdt-code) A CDT code is a code in the Current Dental Terminology set that names a specific dental procedure so it can be recorded and billed. [CE Broker](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ce-broker) CE Broker is the online continuing education tracking system that the Missouri Dental Board uses so that licensees can report and review their continuing education hours. [CE credit](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ce-credit) A CE credit is a unit of continuing education, usually one hour of approved learning, that a dentist counts toward license renewal or toward an award such as an AGD Fellowship. [Change management](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/change-management) A structured way to plan and introduce a change, such as new software or a new policy, so that the team understands it, adopts it and can see its results. [Chief dental officer](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/chief-dental-officer) A senior dentist who sets clinical standards and oversees clinical operations at a dental group or support organization, with duties that vary from one employer to the next. [Clinical autonomy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/clinical-autonomy) A dentist's freedom to make treatment decisions for patients without undue pressure from third parties, including business or insurance interests. [Clinical leadership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/clinical-leadership) The work of guiding clinical quality, training and standards for a dental team or across a group of practices, so that patient care stays consistent and sound. [Cloud-based dental software](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cloud-based-dental-software) Cloud-based dental software is practice software that runs over the internet on a vendor's servers, so the office does not host it on its own server. [Coaching](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/coaching) A process in which a coach guides a person toward better performance, using questions, rapport and agreed actions, as defined in research on coaching in medical education. [Code of ethics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/code-of-ethics) The Code of ethics is the American Dental Association's written set of principles and rules of conduct for dentists, covering patient care, honesty and professional behavior. [Collection ratio](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/collection-ratio) The collection ratio, or collection rate, compares money collected with adjusted production, expressed as a percentage, to show how much of the collectible fees a practice actually receives. [Collections](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/collections) Collections are the money a practice actually receives from patients and insurers in a period, as opposed to the fees it billed or the value of the work it produced. [Collections-based pay](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/collections-based-pay) A pay method that sets an associate dentist's earnings as a share of the money the practice actually collects from that dentist's patients, not of the fees billed. [Compliance checklist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/compliance-checklist) A compliance checklist is a written list that a practice uses to confirm it meets required safety, privacy and other rules, and to track what is done. [Component dental society](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/component-dental-society) A local dental society, such as a city or county society, that belongs to a state dental association and gives members a local level of organized dentistry. [Constituent society](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/constituent-society) A state-level dental society that belongs to the ADA, sits between local component societies and the national body, and sends delegates to the ADA House of Delegates. [Continuing education](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/continuing-education) Continuing education is the coursework dentists complete after licensure to keep their knowledge and skills current and to meet license renewal rules set by their state. [Cost approach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cost-approach) The cost approach is a valuation method that adds up the value of a practice's assets, often by what it would cost to replace them. [Credentialing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/credentialing) Credentialing is the process in which a plan or facility checks a dentist's license, training and history before the dentist joins its network. [Current Dental Terminology](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/current-dental-terminology) Current Dental Terminology is the American Dental Association's standard code set for naming and reporting dental procedures on records and insurance claims. [Cybersecurity](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cybersecurity) Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computers, networks, software and stored data from attack, theft and damage, including patient records kept in a dental office. ## D [Daily huddle](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/daily-huddle) A daily huddle is a brief team meeting held each day to share information, review the schedule and flag concerns before or during the workday. [Data breach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/data-breach) A data breach is an event in which private information is seen, used or taken by someone who has no permission to have it. [Days sales outstanding](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/days-sales-outstanding) Days sales outstanding is the average number of days it takes to collect payment after services are billed, found by dividing receivables by sales and multiplying by days. [De novo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/de-novo-practice) A new practice built from the ground up rather than bought, so it starts with no existing patients, staff or records. [Delegation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/delegation) Assigning tasks to team members who are trained and legally allowed to do them, with the dentist remaining responsible for the care. [Dental advisory board](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-advisory-board) A dental advisory board is a group of dentists that a company or organization asks for input on its products, plans or clinical needs. [Dental advocacy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-advocacy) Work to influence laws, rules and public programs that affect dentists and patients, carried out through testimony, public comment, member action and meetings with officials. [Dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-assistant) A team member who helps the dentist during treatment, prepares the treatment room and handles patient care and record tasks. [Dental benefits](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-benefits) Dental benefits are the coverage a plan provides for dental services, including what it pays, what the patient pays and what is limited or excluded. [Dental billing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-billing) Dental billing is preparing and sending claims to insurers and statements to patients for services provided, then posting payments and following up on unpaid balances. [Dental burnout](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-burnout) Long-term exhaustion and detachment from work that affects dentists and dental teams, described by the World Health Organization as a result of chronic workplace stress that is not well managed. [Dental claim](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-claim) A dental claim is a request sent to a dental benefit plan for payment, listing the services performed, the dates of service and an itemized cost for each. [Dental conference](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-conference) A dental conference is a multi-day meeting where dental professionals attend education sessions, hear speakers and earn continuing education credit. [Dental hygiene supervision](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygiene-supervision) The level of dentist oversight a state requires for hygienists, which can range from direct supervision to general supervision or none. [Dental hygienist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygienist) A licensed oral health professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, and examines patients for signs of oral disease, working under the supervision rules of the state. [Dental implant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-implant) A dental implant is a medical device placed in the jaw to take the place of a tooth root and to support a crown, bridge or denture. [Dental laser](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-laser) A dental laser is a device that uses a focused beam of light to treat soft tissue and, with some types, hard tissue. [Dental leadership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-leadership) Guiding a dental team or a dental organization, in a single practice, a group or a professional body, by influencing people and setting direction toward shared goals. [Dental Lifeline Network](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-lifeline-network) Dental Lifeline Network is a national nonprofit that arranges comprehensive dental care for adults who cannot afford it, using a network of volunteer dentists and dental laboratories. [Dental lobbying](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-lobbying) Direct contact with lawmakers and officials to influence dental policy, a narrower activity than advocacy that is subject to registration and disclosure laws in many places. [Dental malpractice insurance](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-malpractice-insurance) Dental malpractice insurance is professional liability insurance that helps pay for claims that a dentist's care was negligent, including legal defense costs. [Dental mission trip](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-mission-trip) A dental mission trip is a short volunteer trip, often abroad, in which dental professionals provide care in a place with limited access to dentists. [Dental partnership organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-partnership-organization) A group model in which affiliated dentists keep an ownership stake and share in decisions while using the group's business support services. [Dental PPO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-ppo) A dental PPO is a preferred provider organization plan with a network of dentists who agree to accept set fees for covered services. [Dental practice consultant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-consultant) A dental practice consultant is an outside advisor who reviews how a practice runs, such as its marketing, systems or finances, and gives the owner findings to act on. [Dental practice KPIs](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-kpis) Dental practice KPIs are the specific numbers a dental owner tracks, such as production, collections, new patients, accounts receivable and insurance claim aging. [Dental practice management](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-management) Dental practice management is the business side of running a dental office: directing the team, handling money, building the schedule, running systems and caring for patients so clinical work can happen. [Dental practice optimization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-optimization) Dental practice optimization means changing the schedule, systems, staffing or costs of a practice so it runs more smoothly, usually after measuring where the current setup falls short. [Dental recruiting](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-recruiting) The process of searching for and hiring dentists and team members, from writing job posts and holding interviews to making offers and starting the new person's first weeks. [Dental school debt](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-school-debt) Dental school debt is the student loan balance a dentist carries after graduating, and it can shape decisions about work, location and buying a practice. [Dental SEO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-seo) Dental SEO is search engine optimization for a dental website: making pages easy for search engines to understand so local patients searching for care can find the practice. [Dental service organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-service-organization) A company that gives business support to dental practices, such as billing, human resources, marketing and purchasing, under a contract. [Dental society membership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-society-membership) Belonging to a dental association at the local, state and national levels, which in the ADA's tripartite model usually means joining all three together. [Dental speaker](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-speaker) A dental speaker is a dentist or other professional who gives lectures or workshops on clinical, practice or team topics at meetings, study clubs and conferences. [Dental staffing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-staffing) The work of finding and placing temporary or permanent team members for dental offices, including planning for coverage when a hygienist or assistant position is open. [Dental support organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-support-organization) Another name for a DSO, used by the ADA, for a company that supports the business side of dental practices. [Dental team](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-team) The people who work together in a dental practice to care for patients and run the office, including dentists, hygienists, assistants, front office staff and managers. [Dental temp](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-temp) A temporary hygienist, assistant or other team member who works for a short time to cover a gap caused by leave, illness, a vacancy or a busy period. [Dental therapist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-therapist) A mid-level oral health provider, licensed in some states, who performs defined procedures under a dentist's general supervision and a written collaborative agreement. [Digital dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-dentistry) Digital dentistry is dental care that uses digital tools, such as scanners, digital x-rays and computer design, in place of some manual steps. [Digital impression](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-impression) A digital impression is a three-dimensional scan of the teeth and soft tissue, taken with an intraoral scanner, that is used in place of a physical putty impression. [Digital radiography](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-radiography) Digital radiography is x-ray imaging that captures the image on an electronic sensor instead of film and shows it on a computer screen. [Digital workflow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-workflow) A digital workflow is a treatment process that stays digital from the first scan through design to the finished restoration, with little manual work in between. [Donated Dental Services](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/donated-dental-services) Donated Dental Services is a Dental Lifeline Network program that matches eligible patients, who cannot afford care, with volunteer dentists who treat them in their own offices. [DPO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dpo) Dental partnership organization, a name some groups use for a DSO-style model in which affiliated dentists keep a meaningful ownership stake. [DSO](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dso) The short form of dental service organization, a business that provides non-clinical support such as billing, marketing and human resources to dental practices under contract. [Due diligence](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/due-diligence) The buyer's review of a practice's records, contracts and finances before closing a purchase, to confirm what is being bought. ## E [EBITDA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ebitda) EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It is a measure of operating profit, before those costs, that buyers often use to compare businesses. [EFDA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/efda) The short form of expanded function dental assistant, a dental assistant who may perform added clinical tasks under state rules. [Electronic health record](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/electronic-health-record) An electronic health record is a digital version of a patient's chart that keeps health information in one place and shares it with authorized users. [Emotional intelligence](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/emotional-intelligence) The ability to notice, understand and manage your own feelings and the feelings of others, a concept from psychology that researchers define and measure in several ways. [Employee handbook](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/employee-handbook) A written guide to a practice's policies and expectations for staff, covering topics such as hours, conduct, safety and benefits, so that every team member knows the rules. [Employee retention](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/employee-retention) The effort to keep good team members in their jobs over time, supported by factors such as workplace culture, work-life balance, fair pay and chances to grow. [Employment agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/employment-agreement) The written contract between a practice and an employee dentist that sets pay, duties, term, termination rights and limits on later competition or patient contact. [Esthetic zone](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/esthetic-zone) The esthetic zone is the area of front teeth and gums seen when a person smiles, where appearance carries the most weight in treatment planning. [Exit strategy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/exit-strategy) The owner's plan for how and when to leave the practice and what to do with its value, such as a sale, a phased hand-off or a close. [Expanded function dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/expanded-function-dental-assistant) A dental assistant who has extra training and may perform additional clinical tasks that state rules allow, under a dentist's supervision. [Explanation of benefits](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/explanation-of-benefits) An explanation of benefits, or EOB, is a written statement from a payer, sent after it processes a claim, that shows the charges covered or not covered and what the patient may owe. ## F [FAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fagd) FAGD stands for Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the letters used by a dentist who has earned the AGD Fellowship award. [Fee schedule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fee-schedule) A fee schedule is the list of fees a practice charges for each procedure, or the list of amounts a payer will allow for each procedure under a contract. [Feedback](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/feedback) Specific information about performance, compared with a standard and given to the person with the aim of helping them improve, as defined in health professions education. [Fellowship (AGD)](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/fellowship-agd) Fellowship (AGD) is an Academy of General Dentistry award earned by completing 500 approved continuing education hours, passing the Fellowship Exam and meeting membership rules. [Flapless implant surgery](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/flapless-implant-surgery) Flapless implant surgery is the placement of a dental implant through a small opening in the gum, without lifting a full flap of gum tissue. ## G [General practice residency](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/general-practice-residency) A general practice residency is a postdoctoral training program for dentists that prepares them to give comprehensive oral health care, including to patients with complex medical needs. [General supervision](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/general-supervision) A level of supervision in which the dentist authorizes the work in advance but does not need to be present while it happens. [Goodwill](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/goodwill) Goodwill is the part of a practice's value that comes from its patients, reputation and location rather than from its equipment, supplies or other physical assets. [Gross production](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/gross-production) Gross production is the total amount an office bills for treatment performed under its own fee schedule, before any adjustment for insurance contracts, discounts or write-offs. [Group practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/group-practice) A group practice is a dental practice owned and run by more than one dentist, or by an organization, with shared systems, staff and often shared ownership. [Guided implant surgery](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/guided-implant-surgery) Guided implant surgery uses a digital treatment plan and a custom surgical guide to place dental implants in the positions that were planned before surgery. ## H [HIPAA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa) HIPAA is the federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information held by health plans and by providers who bill electronically. [HIPAA Security Rule](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa-security-rule) The HIPAA Security Rule sets national standards for protecting patient health information that is stored or sent in electronic form. [House of Delegates](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/house-of-delegates) The ADA's main policy-making body, made up of delegates chosen by state societies, federal dental services and the student association, which meets once a year. [Hygiene recall](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hygiene-recall) Hygiene recall is the recall system for preventive visits with the hygienist, such as cleanings and periodic exams, including reminders and rebooking of overdue patients. ## I [Immediate implant placement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/immediate-implant-placement) Immediate implant placement means placing a dental implant on the same day a tooth is removed, into the fresh extraction socket. [Immediate provisionalization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/immediate-provisionalization) Immediate provisionalization is the placement of a temporary crown or tooth on an implant on the same day the implant is placed. [Implant crown](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-crown) An implant crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is attached to a dental implant, usually through an abutment, to replace the visible part of a tooth. [Implant system](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-system) An implant system is a manufacturer's set of implant bodies, abutments, screws and tools that are designed to work together. [Implant temporization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-temporization) Implant temporization is the use of a temporary restoration on or over an implant while the implant heals and the final crown is made. [Implant-restoring dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-restoring-dentist) An implant-restoring dentist is a dentist who builds and attaches the crown, bridge or denture on an implant, and may or may not place the implant. [In-house membership plan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/in-house-membership-plan) An in-house membership plan is a practice's own plan for patients without insurance, who pay a monthly or yearly fee in return for set services or discounts. [In-network](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/in-network) In-network describes a dentist who has a contract with a plan and agrees to the plan's fees for covered services. [Income approach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/income-approach) The income approach is a valuation method based on the earnings or cash flow a practice is expected to produce in the future, adjusted for risk. [Independent contractor](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/independent-contractor) A worker who provides services to a business without being its employee, a status that depends on the real facts of the relationship, not on what the contract calls it. [Infection control](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/infection-control) Infection control is the set of practices that stop disease from spreading among patients and staff in the dental office. [Informed consent](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/informed-consent) Informed consent is a patient's agreement to treatment after the dentist has explained the risks, benefits and alternatives and the patient has the capacity to decide. [Insurance verification](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/insurance-verification) Insurance verification is the step of checking a patient's coverage and benefits before treatment, so the office can estimate what the plan and the patient will pay. [International College of Dentists](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/international-college-of-dentists) The International College of Dentists is a global honor society for dentists, with Fellows in more than 140 countries chosen for professional achievement and service. [Intraoral scanner](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/intraoral-scanner) An intraoral scanner is a handheld device that captures a three-dimensional digital record of the teeth and soft tissue inside the mouth. ## J [Job description](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/job-description) A written statement of a role's main duties, responsibilities and reporting line, used for hiring, onboarding and reviewing the work of the person who holds the job. ## K [Key opinion leader](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/key-opinion-leader) A key opinion leader is a clinician whose views on products or methods are valued by peers, and whom companies may ask to speak, teach or give advice. [Key performance indicator](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/key-performance-indicator) A key performance indicator, or KPI, is a measurable number an owner tracks over time to judge how part of the business, such as growth or profitability, is performing. [Keynote](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/keynote) A keynote is the main address at a conference or meeting, meant to set the theme and the issues of main interest for the audience. [KOL](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/kol) KOL is the short form of key opinion leader, a term used by companies and meeting organizers for clinicians whose views carry weight with peers. ## L [Lab fees](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/lab-fees) Lab fees are what a practice pays dental laboratories for crowns, dentures and other lab-made work, and they are counted as a direct expense of treatment. [Leadership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/leadership) Guiding a group toward shared goals by setting direction, influencing others and earning trust, a topic that research describes in several different styles. [Letter of intent](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/letter-of-intent) A document that outlines the main terms of a proposed practice sale before the final contracts, with some parts binding and some not, depending on its wording. ## M [MAGD](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/magd) MAGD stands for Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, the letters used by a dentist who has earned the AGD Mastership award. [Management services agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/management-services-agreement) The contract between a practice and a management company that lists the business services provided, the fees and the length of the relationship. [Management services organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/management-services-organization) A company that handles business functions for a practice under contract, such as billing, HR, marketing and purchasing, while clinical care stays with licensed dentists. [Market approach](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/market-approach) The market approach is a valuation method that compares a practice with similar practices that have sold, using what buyers paid as a guide to value. [Mastership (AGD)](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mastership-agd) Mastership (AGD) is a higher Academy of General Dentistry award that requires at least 1,100 hours of approved continuing education, including at least 400 hands-on participation hours. [MDA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mda) The short form of Missouri Dental Association, the state dental association for Missouri dentists and the state component of the ADA's tripartite structure of organized dentistry. [Mentorship](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mentorship) A longer relationship in which a more experienced person gives voluntary guidance to a less experienced one to support career choices and professional growth over time. [Mid-level dental provider](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mid-level-dental-provider) A provider category between hygienist and dentist, such as a dental therapist, created in some places to widen access to care. [Missouri Dental Association](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/missouri-dental-association) The state dental association for Missouri dentists, a non-profit professional organization founded in 1865 that is the state level of the ADA's three-tier structure. [Missouri Dental Board](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/missouri-dental-board) The Missouri Dental Board is the state board that licenses and regulates dentists and dental hygienists, and that writes rules for dental assistants. [Morning huddle](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/morning-huddle) A morning huddle is a short team meeting held before the first patient arrives to review the day's schedule, patient needs and any gaps or concerns. ## N [Net production](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/net-production) Net production, also called adjusted or billable production, is the amount a practice is allowed to collect after payer contracts, discounts and adjustments reduce its gross billed fees. [New dentist committee](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/new-dentist-committee) An ADA committee, with 17 members from the ADA districts, that serves new dentists and dental students and that developed the ADA 10 Under 10 Award. [New patient flow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/new-patient-flow) New patient flow is the number of new patients who join a practice in a period, usually counted each month and each year and often tracked by referral source. [No-show](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/no-show) A no-show is a patient who misses a scheduled appointment without giving notice, leaving the time unused and often the provider and team unable to fill it. [No-show rate](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/no-show-rate) The no-show rate is the share of booked appointments that patients miss without notice, usually shown as a percentage of appointments scheduled over a period. [Non-compete clause](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/non-compete-clause) A contract term that limits where, or for how long, a person may work in the same field after leaving a job, often tied to a distance or time period. [Non-solicitation clause](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/non-solicitation-clause) A contract term that bars a departing person from drawing away the former employer's patients or staff for a set period after the job ends. ## O [Office manager](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/office-manager) The team member who runs the daily administrative work of a practice, such as scheduling, billing support and front office tasks. [Onboarding](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/onboarding) The process of welcoming and training a new team member, from paperwork and introductions to systems and first goals, so the person can work well in the practice. [Oral preventive assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/oral-preventive-assistant) A Missouri pilot-program role, a type of expanded function dental assistant who provides added preventive services to children, healthy adults and patients with gingivitis. [Organized dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/organized-dentistry) The network of professional dental associations, built on a tripartite structure of the national ADA, state dental associations and local component societies that work together. [OSHA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/osha) OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. agency that sets and enforces workplace safety rules, including rules for dental offices. [Osseointegration](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/osseointegration) Osseointegration is the direct contact between living bone and the surface of a dental implant, which holds the implant firmly in the jaw. [Out-of-network](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/out-of-network) Out-of-network describes a dentist who has no contract with a plan, so the plan's fee agreements do not apply to that dentist. [Overhead](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/overhead) Overhead is the cost of running a dental practice, such as team payroll, supplies, lab fees, rent and equipment, usually discussed as a share of collections. [Overhead percentage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/overhead-percentage) The overhead percentage is total practice expenses divided by collections, shown as a percentage, and it tells an owner how much of each collected dollar goes to costs. [Owner compensation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/owner-compensation) Owner compensation is what the owner dentist takes out of the practice for clinical work and for running the business, which may include salary, distributions and benefits. ## P [PACE](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/pace) PACE is the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education, which reviews and approves organizations that provide dental continuing education. [Partial exit](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/partial-exit) A sale in which the owner sells part of the practice but keeps a stake or stays on to practice, often in phases. [Partnership agreement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/partnership-agreement) A contract among co-owners that sets how they share profit, make decisions, add or remove partners, and handle an owner's exit. [Patient communication](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-communication) Patient communication is how a practice explains diagnoses, options, fees and next steps to patients, in person, by phone, in writing and online. [Patient dismissal](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-dismissal) Patient dismissal is the formal, documented end of the dentist-patient relationship by the practice, done in a way that does not abandon a patient who needs care. [Patient experience](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-experience) Patient experience is how patients rate every contact with a practice, from the first call and the wait to communication, treatment and follow-up. [Patient financing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-financing) Patient financing is a loan, credit card or payment plan, offered by the practice or a third party, that lets a patient pay for treatment over time. [Patient referral](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-referral) A patient referral happens when an existing patient, friend or colleague recommends a practice and a new patient makes a first appointment because of it. [Patient retention](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/patient-retention) Patient retention is the share of patients who keep returning to the same practice over time, often measured by active patients or those who rebook preventive visits. [Payroll percentage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/payroll-percentage) Payroll percentage is team payroll divided by collections, shown as a percentage, and it shows how much of each collected dollar goes to pay the team. [Performance review](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/performance-review) A scheduled conversation that evaluates an employee's work against set expectations and agrees on goals for the next period, usually as part of a wider performance cycle. [Pierre Fauchard Academy](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/pierre-fauchard-academy) The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international honor organization for dentists, where fellowship is by nomination and recognizes past accomplishment in dentistry. [PPO participation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ppo-participation) PPO participation is the decision whether a practice joins an insurance plan's network and accepts its fee schedule, or stays outside it. [Practice acquisition](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-acquisition) The purchase of an existing dental practice, including its patients, staff, equipment and systems, by a dentist or a group. [Practice administrator](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-administrator) A senior business role that leads the non-clinical operations of a practice or group, such as finance, HR and facilities. [Practice analytics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-analytics) Practice analytics are the reports and software tools that turn practice data into trends, such as production by provider or new patients by referral source, that an owner can review. [Practice appraisal](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-appraisal) A practice appraisal is a formal written valuation of a practice by a qualified appraiser who documents the data, the methods and the reasoning behind the value. [Practice assessment](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-assessment) A practice assessment is a structured review of a practice's operations, finances, schedule and team, used to find what works, what does not and what to measure next. [Practice broker](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-broker) An intermediary who lists a practice for sale, markets it to buyers and helps manage the steps of a sale for a commission. [Practice budget](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-budget) A practice budget is a plan for expected income and expenses over a period, such as a month or a year, that the owner compares with actual results. [Practice culture](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-culture) Practice culture is the shared values, habits and expectations that shape how a dental team works together and treats patients, whether or not they are written down. [Practice financial statements](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-financial-statements) Practice financial statements are the main reports on a practice's money: the profit and loss statement, the balance sheet and the cash flow report. [Practice loan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-loan) A practice loan is a business loan used to buy, start or expand a dental practice, repaid from practice earnings and often secured by assets. [Practice management software](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-management-software) Practice management software is the main office program that handles scheduling, billing, charting, claims and reports for a dental practice. [Practice manager](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-manager) A manager who oversees the operations, people and finances of a practice, often with wider duties than an office manager. [Practice marketing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-marketing) Practice marketing is the set of activities a dental practice uses to reach and keep patients, such as a website, community involvement, search visibility and patient relationships. [Practice owner](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-owner) The person or entity that holds legal control of a dental practice and carries its financial risk, including decisions on staffing, spending and the direction of the business. [Practice ownership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-ownership) Practice ownership means holding the legal and financial control of a dental practice, including its profits, debts, decisions and responsibility for the team and patients. [Practice profitability](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-profitability) Practice profitability is how much money remains for the owner and the business after all costs are paid, shown by the income statement as profit or loss for a period. [Practice start-up](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-start-up) The effort to open a new dental practice from nothing, which includes choosing a location, arranging financing and equipment, hiring staff and building a base of patients. [Practice systems](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-systems) Practice systems are repeatable processes that run parts of the business, such as scheduling, new patient intake, recall, billing and collections, so results do not depend on one person. [Practice transition](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-transition) A change of ownership of a practice, such as a sale, a merger or a hand-off to an associate, often planned over months or years. [Practice valuation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-valuation) Practice valuation is an estimate of what a dental practice is worth, prepared for a sale, purchase, buy-in, financing or other purpose using accepted valuation methods. [Primary implant stability](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/primary-implant-stability) Primary implant stability is how firmly an implant sits in the bone at the moment it is placed, before the bone heals around it. [Private equity in dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/private-equity-in-dentistry) Investment firms that buy ownership stakes in dental groups or support organizations, aiming to grow the business and later sell it, a trend the ADA tracks in its research. [Production](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/production) Production is the dollar value of dental services a provider or practice performs in a period, measured at the office fee schedule before insurance write-offs, discounts or uncollected balances are taken out. [Production-based pay](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/production-based-pay) Production-based pay is compensation calculated as a percentage of the production an associate generates, often with deductions such as lab fees taken out first. [Profit and loss statement](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/profit-and-loss-statement) A profit and loss statement, also called an income statement, reports a practice's revenue, expenses and resulting profit or loss for a set period, such as a month or year. [Profit margin](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/profit-margin) Profit margin is the share of revenue left after all expenses, found by dividing profit by revenue and shown as a percentage. ## R [Ransomware](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/ransomware) Ransomware is malicious software that locks or encrypts a practice's files, and then demands payment from the owner before the files are released again. [Recall](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/recall) Recall is the system a practice uses to bring patients back at set times for exams, cleanings and other follow-up care, sometimes called recare. [Reimbursement rate](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/reimbursement-rate) A reimbursement rate is the amount an insurer agrees to pay for a procedure, which may differ from the fee the practice normally charges. [Restrictive covenant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/restrictive-covenant) A contract promise that limits future competition, solicitation or hiring, and usually covers a stated time and area after a relationship ends. [Revenue cycle](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/revenue-cycle) The revenue cycle is every step from scheduling a visit through treatment, coding, billing and final payment, including follow-up on unpaid claims and patient balances. [Risk management](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/risk-management) Risk management is the work of finding, ranking and reducing the chance of legal, safety, financial or data harm to a practice. ## S [Same-day crown](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/same-day-crown) A same-day crown is a crown that is designed and milled in the dental office so the patient can receive it in a single visit. [Schedule template](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/schedule-template) A schedule template is the standard layout of appointment times, providers, rooms and block types for each day, set in the software and used as the base for booking. [Scope of practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice) The set of tasks a licensed or certified professional may legally perform in a state, defined by state law and board rules and often different for each dental role. [Servant leadership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/servant-leadership) A leadership style in which the leader focuses on serving the needs of the team so that team members can do good work and grow in their roles. [Soft skills](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/soft-skills) Interpersonal and thinking skills, such as listening, empathy, teamwork and clear speech, that help people work well with others and perform effectively in the workplace. [Solo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/solo-practice) A solo practice is a dental practice with one owner dentist and no partners, though it may employ associate dentists, hygienists and other team members. [Speakers bureau](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/speakers-bureau) A speakers bureau is an agency or directory that connects event organizers with speakers, often listing topics, biographies and videos to help planners choose. [Spear Study Club](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/spear-study-club) A Spear Study Club is a local group of dental professionals that meets regularly to review cases using a curriculum designed by Spear Education faculty. [Staff turnover](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/staff-turnover) The rate at which team members leave a workplace and must be replaced, often measured as the number of separations in a period as a percent of employment. [Standard operating procedure](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/standard-operating-procedure) A standard operating procedure, or SOP, is a written, step-by-step description of how a routine task is done so that different people carry it out the same way. [Standard precautions](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/standard-precautions) Standard precautions are the basic infection control steps that dental staff use with every patient, whether or not the patient seems ill. [Student loan refinancing](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/student-loan-refinancing) Student loan refinancing means replacing existing student loans with a new private loan, usually to change the interest rate or term, and it can end federal loan protections. [Study club](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/study-club) A study club is a group of dental professionals who meet regularly to learn together, review cases, and share what they know with each other. [Succession planning](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/succession-planning) Planning who will take over a practice, and how, before the owner steps away, whether by sale, hand-off to an associate or another route. [Supply costs](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/supply-costs) Supply costs are what a practice spends on clinical and office supplies, tracked each month and often compared with collections to see whether spending is steady. ## T [Team communication](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/team-communication) The way team members share information, hand off work and raise problems, from daily huddles and chart notes to open talk about concerns inside the practice. [Team compensation](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/team-compensation) The full pay package a practice gives its team, including wages, bonuses and benefits such as paid leave, insurance and retirement contributions, plus the cost to the employer. [Team meeting](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/team-meeting) A team meeting is a regularly scheduled session where the whole practice team reviews results, solves problems, trains and plans, usually longer and less frequent than a daily huddle. [Team training](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/team-training) Planned learning for the team on clinical, administrative, safety or communication skills, including some training that the law requires employers to provide to staff. [Technology return on investment](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/technology-return-on-investment) Technology return on investment compares what a dental technology costs, including training and upkeep, with the financial value it brings back to the practice. [Teledentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/teledentistry) Teledentistry is the use of technology to give dental consultation, screening or follow-up at a distance, such as by video or by sharing images. [Treatment coordinator](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/treatment-coordinator) A treatment coordinator is a team member who helps patients understand treatment plans, fees and financing options and helps them schedule the care the dentist recommended. [Treatment plan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/treatment-plan) A treatment plan is the ordered guide to a patient's care, set by the dentist's diagnosis, listing the treatment recommended to restore or maintain oral health. ## U [Usual and customary fee](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/usual-and-customary-fee) A usual and customary fee is the amount a dentist normally charges for a service, used by some dental plans as a reference when deciding how much they will pay. ## V [Valuation multiple](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/valuation-multiple) A valuation multiple is a number applied to earnings or another base to estimate what a business is worth; for example, a multiple of EBITDA. ## W [Web accessibility](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/web-accessibility) Web accessibility means designing and building websites, tools and pages so that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate and use them. [Workflow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/workflow) A workflow is the order of tasks and hand-offs that move a job from start to finish, including who does each step and what information passes between people. [Workforce shortage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/workforce-shortage) A lack of enough qualified hygienists, assistants or dentists to fill open jobs, which can reduce the number of patients a practice is able to see. [Working capital](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/working-capital) Working capital is the cash and near-cash a practice has available to pay its short-term bills, found by subtracting current liabilities from current assets. [Write-off](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/write-off) A write-off is the part of a fee that a practice does not collect, usually because of a network contract, a discount or an uncollectible balance. ## # [3D printing in dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/3d-printing-in-dentistry) 3D printing in dentistry means building models, surgical guides, appliances and some restorations layer by layer from a digital file. ## Talk with Dr. Copeland [Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)