A policy can be adopted of reappointing patients to the  same  operator  for  all  subsequent  treatment  if needed.  This  policy  is  particularly  applicable  to operative dentistry patients. On the other hand, a policy  of  reappointing  patients  to  the  next  available open time may be preferable. Another alternate is to keep a few appointments open, thus permitting some flexibility in the dentists’ schedules, allowing them to take care of unforseen situations that may arise from time to time. Next we will discuss the patient register, dental appointment book, and appointment cards. Patient Register The patient register or log is maintained at the appointment desk and shows the date, name, rank/rate, and reason for the visit. It is usually a log-type book, which lists every patient who was seen at the DTF on a particular  day. Dental Appointment, Daily, NAVMED 6600/5 At most DTFs, dental appointments are scheduled at the Central Appointment Desk. This department usually takes care of the appointment schedule(s) for the entire DTF. The appointment book consists of a series of NAVMED 6600/5 Forms (fig. 2-1) or local forms that resemble the 6000/5. Dental Appointment Card, NAVMED 6600/6 A NAVMED 6600/6 (fig. 2-2) is given to each patient scheduled for a dental appointment. Other dental  appointment  card  types  can  also  be  used depending on your DTF’s policy. Figure 2-3 illustrates a Dental Appointment Slip that has carbon copies and comes in 3 parts. Appointment Failures or “No Shows” Appointment  failures  result  in  the  loss  of man-hours  for  providers  and  should  be  kept  to  a minimum.  There  is  no  single  best  way  to  handle appointment failures. The DTF’s commanding officer (CO)  or  officer  in  charge  (OIC)  should  consider procedures  and  methods  to  keep  lost  time  to  a minimum. An active liaison between the DTF and the organizational  units  will  also  help  minimize  the problem. You  can  help  eliminate  appointment  failures  by impressing  upon  patients  the  importance  of  keeping them. If time permits, you could contact patients by telephone before their appointments to remind them of the date and time. If you have a broken appointment or cancellation, you should notify the appointment desk. It may be possible to fill the appointment time with a sick-call patient or a patient waiting for treatment. Another method of minimizing lost time is the patient call list, which is discussed next. Patient Call List The Patient Call List is used for patients requiring extensive treatment, or need to be seen sooner than the next available scheduled appointment time. The list of patients usually live or work a short distance from the DTF, or are available on short notice in case of a broken  appointment  or  cancellation..  A  call  list  log should   contain   the   patient’s   name,   rank/rate, home/office telephone number, and dental treatment to be performed. DENTAL COMPUTERIZED RECALL The computerized dental recall system is used to schedule military patient’s return to the DTF on a 3-, 6-, or 12-month basis for routine or specialized treatment (e.g.,  examinations,  perio). The  system  uses  twelve  separate  lists  or  file sections  (one  for  each  month).  It  is  continuously updated, month by month. Most DTFs have a recall list that operates with custom computer software programs installed on personal computers (PCs) such as the Dental  Management  Information  System  (DENMIS). DENTAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM The  Dental  Management  Information  System (DENMIS)  was  developed  for  use  by  DTFs  who submit data to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). Functional support is provided by Naval Medical  Information  Management  Center  (NMIMC), Bethesda,  MD.  Technical  support  is  provided  by Space  and  Naval  Warfare  System  Center (SPAWARSYSCEN), Chesapeake, VA. DENMIS has the  capability  to  process  the  following  types  of information: Dental Workload reports. Unit   and   individual   Operational   Dental Readiness reports. Provider Treatment Time reports. Patient and Unit Dental Treatment Needs reports (also referred to as ad hoc reports). 2-5