Dental VA Operating Rhythm Checklist

Month one

• Primary communication channel agreed
• Routine, urgent, and emergency response windows defined
• Short daily check-in scheduled
• End-of-shift summary format agreed
• Weekly work and metric review scheduled
• Every item reviewed while the VA learns the standard
• Manager supervision hours recorded each week

Months two and three

• Check-in frequency reduced when the work supports it
• Review rate tracked separately for each workflow
• Random sampling used instead of checking only convenient items
• Weekly one-to-one protected through month three
• Questions converted into procedure updates
• Day-30 and day-90 autonomy reviews completed

Mature rhythm

• End-of-shift summary retained where it remains useful
• Routine work reported by exception
• Outcome measures reviewed monthly
• Scope and decision rights reviewed quarterly
• Manager supervision hours continue to fall or remain low
• Same surprise or escalation problem is not repeating

The rhythm should become lighter as the work becomes more reliable. If every meeting and review remains in place after six months, identify what evidence or decision is missing before adding more management time.