4 Tips for a Successful and Calm Dental Office
by Penny Reed
Managing a busy dental practice can be a difficult job. With constant patient flow, an ever-ringing phone, and insurance claims that never seem to end, keeping your head above water takes a lot of work.
The phrase “there’s not enough hours in the day” can be the unofficial mantra of every dental office manager.
But, don’t get discouraged. With a few helpful tips, you can ease your workday and maybe even get a few seconds of peace.
1. Encourage Yourself and Others
Encourage your staff’s successes, whether individually or as a team. Highlight your employees who demonstrate exceptional work ethic.
Be specific with your gratitude. Connect your “thank yous” to the people who make them happen. For instance, you can tell a team member, “Thank you so much for getting those mailers out before lunch.”
For group efforts, you can highlight the team’s overall achievement with a phrase like, “Great job everyone on making sure the phones were answered on the second right.”
And don’t forget to include yourself. At the end of the workday, pat yourself on the back for any achievements, whether big or small.
All victories, whether big or small, deserve rewards. Recognizing and celebrating small achievements as they happen motivates your employees to keep working smarter and harder for your practice.
Consider hosting a morning coffee hangout or surprising the front office with lunch. For self-encouragement, reward yourself with a small treat when goals are accomplished.
2. Communication is Key
It might seem obvious, but take the time to talk to your staff. In the hustle and bustle of the busy workday, we often only manage to say “hello” and “see you tomorrow.”
Get to know your staff. Ask them about their families, their weekend plans, their hobbies, or if anything is troubling them outside of work. Share a little about yourself with them. A little personal communication can often help ease the stress of a busy workday.
Also, ensure your staff knows they can come to you with any concerns. For example, if you are struggling with a new process, you can say, “I know the new process isn’t easy, but please give me your honest feedback, whether positive or negative.
By working together, we can master it and succeed.” Also, relay any necessary information to them so that everyone is always on the same page.
3. Keep Learning
No matter where we are in our careers, there is always something to learn, especially in the ever-evolving world of dentistry. Take advantage of continuing education. Dental management courses, such as those offered by AADOM, provide valuable insights into all aspects of office management, including retaining and maintaining an efficient office staff.
Whether you need guidance on conducting effective training or want to align your team, you’ll find a wealth of resources available when you take the time to explore. Encourage your staff to continue to learn and grow. The more knowledgeable your team is, the more smoothly your office will run.
4. Take Advantage of Outsourcing
Day-to-day patient care takes up a large part of the workday and leaves little time for paperwork and claims filing. Rather than overburdening yourself with the endless flow of insurance claims, consider outsourcing to a trusted partner like eAssist.
At eAssist, we work to support you so that you have peace of mind and can focus on what matters most, the patients.
To learn more about how eAssist can help ease your workday, schedule a free consultation.
Managing a busy dental practice is challenging, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t get discouraged. By taking advantage of these tips, like embracing continuous learning and utilizing outsourcing partners, you can ease your workload and find a little bit of peace.
You can reduce the stress in your office and create a more productive and enjoyable workday for you and your staff.
About the Author:
Penny Reed
Penny Reed is the Chief Growth Officer at eAssist Dental Solutions, and the author of the book, Growing Your Dental Business.
Penny has over 30 years of experience as a speaker and dental business coach and has been designated a Leader in Dental Consulting by Dentistry Today from 2007 to the present. She is a certified “Behavioral Consultant” through the Institute for Motivational Living and a former Dale Carnegie Trainer.
Penny is the executive team support for the people services at eAssist, the nation’s leader in outsourced dental billing. She speaks at dental meetings about team coachability, effective revenue cycle management, and practice growth.
