Ideally, any dental office will run efficiently and smoothly without a hitch. However, there are certain pitfalls that are common which can lead potential clients astray.
There are numerous studies that cite the importance of potential practices that can increase the efficiency of any office. Fortunately, the process of doing so is not too cumbersome, and it can pay high dividends if these interventions are implemented correctly and effectively. Follow the following four steps in order to make a more successful dental office.
Focus on Automation
When it comes to maximizing the potential of any dental office, you should be encouraged to take advantage of modern day technology. It is your best friend. This is especially the case when it comes to dealing with the customer. If there is anything that technology can do better than any conventional means of service, it is to increase the convenience available to the customer.
Technology has the capacity to eliminate common human errors, improve access to patients, and most importantly, save time. Tasks such as setting appointments, newsletters, reminders and other important tasks can all be done today with a simple press of a button or swipe across a screen.
You should take great advantage of the many automotive tools that are available at your disposal. If you waste technology, you are wasting a great opportunity at your fingertips. Healthcare marketing is also another aspect of running a dental office that can be increased exponentially through technology.
Pay Attention to Scheduling
Proper scheduling is also something that not only makes a dental office run more efficiently, but it will help business operations run significantly more smoothly. If there is one person that knows your patient, it is you. This means that you have to take into account their demographics and any other pertinent information and get a good profile on them.
There are certain patients that may have to travel long distances just to see you. You may also come into contact with patients who will always come early, no matter what the situation. This means that when you are scheduling, you have to take all of these factors into consideration or all of the problems that come with scheduling can compound on top of each other. Study your patient's habits and adjust accordingly for a smoother transition.
Encourage Employees to Exercise
Your heart beating and your blood flowing are necessary bodily functions. The circulatory system does more than keeping the blood flowing, it also keeps oxygen moving and removes toxins and other wastes from the body.
Walking or using a stationary bike are great ways to improve circulation and is easy on your body if you’re not used to exercising. Other exercises include yoga, tai chi, dancing, or jumping on a rebounder or mini-trampoline.
It should be noted that prolonged or high-intensity exercise can damage the tight junctions of the intestines, which can cause intestinal problems. So you don’t have to go crazy exercising to improve bodily functions.
Prepare In Advance
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. While there are certain things that no one can be adequately prepared for, working in the industry for a great period of time will give you a decent indication of what a certain day will bring.
This means that you will have to prepare well in advance and come up with interventions to fill in certain holes. This can be difficult to do, especially if you are unorganized. However, if you allocate a certain time every day to gathering important patient information, you will be able to designate deadlines and refrain from getting distracted with other activities that are not present priorities.
Utilize the Daily 15 Minute "Stand Up" Strategy
This is actually a strategy that is very common with those who work in the engineering sector but it can be effective for you as well. One of the biggest pitfalls of any dental office that can result in failure or difficulty is poor communication. This means that interventions will have to be implemented in order to improve these particular barriers. Get together as a team and identify the progress that has been made throughout the day for 15 minutes a day.
This means you have to account for tasks that are not finished, items that still have to be completed for the day, procedures that need to be confirmed and items that you may have not had time for that have to be delayed. Follow these simple strategies, and you will see the efficiency of your dental office increase drastically.