Practice Start-Up and Management

Follow the links below to discover essential information on providing dental services to Virginians who are uninsured or

live in dental provider shortage areas.

Dental Safety Net Clinic Manual

This excellent resource assists oral health professionals with implementing a safety net dental clinic from the ground-up. It includes links to sample policies, budget worksheets, design

tips, equipment photographs and websites.

Portable Dental Clinic Manual

Modeled after the Dental Safety Net Clinic Manual, this resource focuses on start-up operations of a mobile or portable dental clinic.

Recruiting Volunteer Dentists and Dental Staff

These materials, originally presented at VHCF's Tooth Talk,

provide in-depth information on:

Tips on recruiting volunteer dentists and dental staff

Tips on retaining volunteer dentists and dental staff

Neighborhood Assistance Program information

The Good Samaritan Act

Recruiting Paid Dentists and Dental Staff

These comprehensive materials, originally presented at VHCF's Tooth Talk, include:

Tips on recruiting paid dental staff

An H-1 B visa primer

Sample recruitment plan

Sample job description

Sample retention plan

Sample orientation plan

Virginia Loan Repayment & Scholarship Program

Virginia Dental Scholarship Program

National Health Service Corp Loan Repayment

The Good Practice: Treating Underserved Dental Patients While Staying Afloat

While designed for dental safety net providers in California, this guide provides excellent information for providers in Virginia as well.  It outlines necessary techniques and tools, including: the fundamentals of creating a sound strategic plan; paying special attention to the reimbursement process and payer mix; achieving a smooth patient flow; designing an optimal staffing pattern; the importance of effective business systems; and implementing new technologies and clinical programs.

Dental Care Models that Made It

Three dental projects funded by VHCF have proven to be cost effective, successful at meeting primary dental care needs, capable of sustaining themselves and replicable. VHCF encourages interested communities to consider replicating these Models That Made It.  Find out more about VHCF dental care Models that Made It, including application guidelines and replication guidebooks.

The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA)

The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) is a nationwide network of dental providers who care for patients in Migrant, Homeless and Community Health Centers. The NNOHA Web site is a collection of information, contacts and resources including dental safety net start-up manuals and patient education resources.

Ohio Oral Health Summit Presentation

Anthem Foundation of Ohio’s Oral Health Capacity Building Project is creating a clinical assessment to help Ohio dental safety net clinics with sustainability issues.  This power point (prepared by John Neal, DDS and Bob Ellis, MBA) is a comprehensive look at some of the findings so far.  It includes tips to determine sliding scale fees and other helpful resources.

Expanding Access to Dental Care Through California's Community Health Centers

While FQHCs are willing to start or expand dental care for low-income patients, they face a common set of impediments, ranging from insufficient capital resources to a patient-payer mix that does not allow for adequate reimbursement. Interviews with clinic staff, as well as organizations that provide support to community health centers, also produced recommendations for overcoming such barriers. The information, prepared for California community health centers, is equally applicable to Virginia FQHCs.