What Can Increase Productivity in a Dental Office?
A productive dental office works like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what to do and is doing it efficiently. That can only happen if the dentist is productive on his or her own. Like the captain guiding the ship, the dentist affects the extended functions of the office. If you set goals and responsibilities and stay organized, your business will thrive.
Defined Goals and Responsibilities
There can’t be productivity without accountability. In an unproductive dental office, the odds are good that it’s not just one person who’s not performing his or her duties. There’s probably plausible deniability at work; everyone is performing at approximately the same level, so no one feels like they’re falling behind. There could also be genuine confusion about what task is or isn’t a part of their expected job.
If your office is in a productivity slump, take the time to reassign everyone’s responsibilities. This should go a long way towards cutting down on any confusion that may arise. When in doubt, it’s always best to assume that confusion is key at first. Most slackers will shape up from there. If problems persist, then it’s time to talk to people individually.
Once the duties are clear, set some goals. These goals could include improving customer service reviews, lowering the number of errors, or doing whatever else would make the most significant impact on your practice. The extended duties of an office can’t all fall on your shoulders.
Punctuality is Key
Lost time is a major issue with dental offices. Punctuality is a significant factor in patient satisfaction. Patients don’t want to have to wait a long time, and they don’t want to be there any longer than they have to. Emergencies do happen, so you won’t make it every time. Minimizing those emergencies is key to getting your best results. One area you might want to revisit is how long you will delay an appointment for a patient who is late. While appreciative regulars will be more likely to return, some patients will never make it a priority to be on time. What is your policy then?
Punctuality also drives those client retaining tools like postcards and appointment reminders. Completing tasks on time also helps point out areas where your workflow is weak. If someone is always overloaded while someone else has slow periods, then smoothing out these disproportions will make for balanced workflow for everyone.
Productivity Starts with the Dentist
You may have noticed that the most significant factor in productivity comes from you. If the dentist at the hub of a practice isn’t punctual, setting a good example, and reaching for goals, how can anyone else? It’s not all about morale, either. Some dentists have a difficult time delegating to their staff. You cannot be the best provider possible and micromanage every task in your office. Delegate, and let many hands make light work.
Dental office productivity depends on everyone having jobs and being allowed to do them. Dentists can’t keep a tight control over every expanded duty in the practice. Employee responsibilities need to be made clear, and above all else, punctuality is a virtue.