FollowHow much time did you spend planning your last vacation?
Did you map it out?
Or, did you just throw some clothes in a suitcase and take-off in your car headed in what you thought was the quickest path to your destination?
I bet that you took many hours to plan your last vacation and you started packing probably the week before you left.
In today’s world of technology, you pulled up your map using your mobile device and maybe you printed the directions on your laser printer.
How much time do you spent planning your day at the dental office?
Does your team have a practice profitability compass?
Your Compass
The compass we provide our clients is what you probably know as a “team huddle.”
Once you have this system in place, it should take about ten minutes to plan your day.
The entire team will audit their area of expertise.
Here are a few suggestions to organize your team huddle:
- Begin with the financial coordinator (Office manager or similar position) reporting on production/ collections: Monthly goal and your current month-to-date production/collections. Talk about what went well the previous day and what did not go well, etc.
- Scheduling coordinator reports on open holes in today schedule and in the near future. Let the team know about ER patient availability. Provide doctor with a list of new patients for him/her to call before their 1st (Yes! This is something different and you will stand out among other dentists in your community if you do this one thing!)
- Hygienists come to this meeting with an understanding and communicate to the team about which patients need: new medical history, Oral ID™ FMX/BWX, doctor exam, perio charting, outstanding restorative needs, family members who also need a hygiene appointment or restorative care, post-op call update (For all patients who received local anesthesia), etc.
- Assistants audit their schedule to share and inquire about patients with special needs, local anesthetic needed, type of impression needed, results of post-op calls from the day before, which patients have family members who need a hygiene or restorative appointment, etc.
- Yes, even doctor has a part in the morning team huddle. We suggest that our doctor call all new patients scheduled during the week prior to their 1st appointment. Doctor will report on the outcome of this quick call to welcome the new patient.
When everyone takes time to look at their schedule and review their patient needs as listed above, you will discover adjunctive and necessary services your scheduled patients and their family members need.
When you look at your practice profitability compass you can work together as a team to close various gaps in meeting your goals. You will also be able to serve your patients at a much higher level.
Closing the Gaps
Maybe you are still scratching your head. Some of you think meetings are a waste of time.
What I am suggesting is that everyone let the team know what is needed to make the day profitable, efficient and provides the best care for the patients.
Your morning team huddle will help navigate your day and eliminate any un-necessary bottlenecks which might occur.
This compass is what makes a day that has a smooth landing without turbulence.
Debbie Seidel-Bittke, RDH, BS is a dental consultant, coach, speaker and author. She is also CEO of Dental Practice Solutions. Debbie is a world-class leader in creating profitable hygiene departments. She is well-known as a former clinical assistant professor at USC in Los Angeles and a former hygiene department program director. Dentistry Today recognizes Debbie as a Leader in Dental Consulting.
Be sure to grab this free 3-part hygiene video department training, webinar on the Gingivitis Code plus flowchart on training the patient with gingivitis and Strategic Planning Session: http://www.dentalhygiene.solutions/
You can reach Dental Practice Solutions to schedule a complimentary strategic planning session by calling 949-351-8741 or you can send an email to: admin@dentalpracticesollutions.com
You can also go to the website: www.dentalpracticesolutions.com