3 minute read
ASSOCIATION ACTIVE VACATIONS HELP YOU CONNECT WITH THE WORLD
from UDA Action
Utah Dental Association members can save on immersive small-group adventures
Looking for a vacation experience that goes beyond a beach and a book? UDA and its endorsed partner, AHI Further, are offering three unique adventures in 2023 with several departure dates to choose from that will engage your body, stimulate your curiosity and immerse you in deep cultural experiences.
These active tours offer travelers opportunities to explore their destinations by hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, waterfall rappelling, snorkeling or zip-lining and to become immersed in new cultures and hands-on educational experiences. All programs are led by an experienced Travel Director so travelers can relax and enjoy every minute of their trip. Travelers can choose from three destinations – Thailand, Costa Rica and Galapagos Islands.
“AHI’s unique Further tours are designed for the curious, active traveler who desires a spot-on mix of adrenaline-fueled activities, must-see highlights, deep cultural experiences and the freedom to do your own thing,” said Mike Hull, Senior Vice President, AHI Further. “Join a small group of like-minded travelers who, like you, crave flexible, fresh and fun adventures in exotic locations. The best part? AHI Further’s active adventures get you closer to each destination by letting you hike, bike, kayak and snorkel your way through it. They provide the equipment, the experts and the opportunity. You provide the energy.”
Many adventures await, including one of the seven wonders of the world; an excursion to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum and war cemetery in Thailand; zip-lining high about Monteverde Costa Rica’s cloud forest canopy where you might spot monkeys, sloths, toucans or other exotic birds; or snorkeling in the waters around the Galapagos Islands with reef sharks, turtles and stingrays. Tours offer opportunities for cultural, culinary and hands-on educational experiences as well as outdoor adventures. UDA members who book a trip through AHI Further save $100 per traveler. Bring your friends and everyone saves $100. For complete itineraries on each of these adventures and additional options for outdoor physical activities, visit these links:
• Explore Thailand https://adafr.ahitravel.com/destinations/1777A?schoolId=688
• Explore Costa Rica https://adafr.ahitravel.com/destinations/1775A?schoolId=688
• Explore Galapagos https://adafr.ahitravel.com/destinations/1776A?schoolId=688
ADA News March 6, 2023
THE MEMBERS OF THE DENTAL TEAM: POSITION OVERVIEWS Guidelines for Practice Success | Managing the Dental Team
Every practice should have job descriptions that outline the education, qualifications and specific duties for each member of the team. Developing this information up-front has two main benefits: first, it makes it more likely that your practice will hire qualified individuals for each role; and second, it lets each employee know what is required to satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of the job. Creating accurate job descriptions takes time and thought but you’ll reap the rewards of those efforts every time you hire, coach, evaluate, or terminate staff. While it’s doubtful that most dentists enjoy conducting these non-clinical activities, they are necessary components of leading the team and managing the practice.
Think of job descriptions as a form of communication that ensures that anyone – and everyone – working in the practice understands their responsibilities and knows exactly what’s expected. They’re also helpful when recruiting staff to fill new or vacant positions and when planning programs to update staff training. Well-written job descriptions can also provide language to use when recruiting staff and also be valuable documentation when it’s time to provide coaching, redirect work assignments, improve poor performance, and even when it’s time to terminate someone on the team.
Make sure you consult your state’s dental practice act for guidance in defining which duties can be performed by different members of the dental team, under what level of supervision, and any education or exams that must be completed, or any state or national credentials that must be held before specific duties can be delegated to clinical staff members. Your state dental association may also have resources that can help. Finally, always make sure that employees and job applicants are properly licensed to work in the state where your practice is located, if that’s required for the position.
There are many resources that can provide sample job descriptions for positions common to most dental practices. While templates and other samples can be good starting points, it’s likely that some changes will be necessary to make sure the position fills the needs of your practice. Consider asking members of the team for input on the position description for their roles. Just remember that it’s up to you to decide which suggestions to incorporate and which to disregard.
Resources: Position descriptions for dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental office managers provided courtesy of The ADA Practical Guide to Creating and Updating an Employee Policy Manual
