You Can't Out Earn Disorganization!

You've likely heard the metaphor 'Sharpen The Saw' - For a dental team is like keeping our instruments—and ourselves—in top shape. If we don’t take time to regroup, recharge, reevaluate and revisit vision often, we risk becoming as dull as a scaler that’s seen one too many cleanings! 

In the world of dentistry, you're no stranger to the daily grind of juggling patients, trying to meet production,  putting out fires, and trying to remember where you left your coffee. (Hint: it’s probably in the lab. Again.) It might seem like working harder is the ultimate solution to all your woes. But here’s the punchline: you simply cannot out earn the chaos of disorganization!

The Hidden Costs of Disorganization

Disorganization in a dental practice doesn’t just create stress; it’s actually eating away at your profits. Here’s how:

• Wasted Time: How many times are you leaving the operatory to look for something? Yeah, that’s time you’ll never get back. 

• Missed Revenue Opportunities: Your busyness today is killing those planning appointment opportunities.  No time for meaningful conversations that will benefit both you AND the patient long term. 

• Increased Overhead: When you refuse to slow down, you're wasting resources. Disorganization costs more money, plain and simple.   

• Decreased Standard of Care: Making patients wait, rescheduling because the lab case didn't make it in time, multi-tasking out of necessity... just some of the things are contributing to your revolving door.

Why Working Harder Isn’t the Answer

At first glance, working more and harder seems like the silver bullet. But without organization, your added effort is like trying to fill a bucket with holes—it’s just going to leak.

• Burnout Risks: Higher patient volume without streamlined processes? Cue the mental breakdown.

• Financial Leaks: If you’re not keeping track of metrics, you might as well start throwing your money out the window.

• Compromised Care: Rushed procedures and a 'busy' schedule lead to mistakes. And trust me, “Oops” is not something your patients want to hear during a root canal.

Steps to Get Organized and Thrive

Don’t worry—you don’t need to become the Marie Kondo of the dental world overnight. Here’s how to get started:

1. Audit Your Current Systems: Take a good, hard look at your practice. Where’s the chaos lurking? What have you forgotten about and put on the back burner? What are you doing just because 'we've always done it that way'? Don't forget about your Systems Playbook: Think of this as your practice’s instruction manual—because winging it hasn’t exactly been working. This is a resource that your personal coach will help you create.

2. Don't skip out on team communication:  Honor your weekly vision sessions, AM huddles and PM huddles. It's tempting to throw a limited exam in the schedule and skip your meeting because you 'need the production'.  Or maybe you feel as if things are going well, and you talk all the time anyway, right?  Wrong. Just do it. 

3. Measure Progress:  'Only measure what you want to improve'. Not sure what to measure? Check out our Scoreboard Resource, or ask your coach!

4. Delegate Wisely and Cross Train: What would happen if that key team member suddenly vanished? Would you have what you need to pick up and keep going?  There shouldn't be any task or system in the office that is 'top secret'  by default.  

5. Prioritize Team Training: A well-trained team is like flossing: it takes a little time, but it prevents a lot of problems down the line. Training isn't just for new team members that require onboarding - even long term team members should engage in ongoing skill building and cross training. 

6.  Fix Your Schedule:  Busyness does NOT equal profitability!  In fact, your most profitable days will actually have quite a bit of white space. Create a template and stick to it! Check out our Patient Reservation System Resource for guidance. 

The Long-Term Benefits of Organization:

• Increased Profitability: Effective use of your time turns chaos into cash.

• Better Work-Life Balance: Spend less time stressing and more time doing what really matters.  Life is too short!

• Happier Patients: You may be the best clinical dentist in town, but with the added benefit of preparation, your patients will finally know you're amazing!

• Enhanced Team Morale: When everyone knows what they’re doing and we've anticipated challenges, it's a lot more fun to come to work!

As dental professionals, you’ve mastered the art of fixing teeth, but fixing the practice takes more than a drill and some composite resin. Organization is the foundation for success, and it comes with the added bonus of fewer headaches (for you AND your team)!