{"id":6584,"date":"2021-10-01T14:50:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T20:50:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/?p=6584"},"modified":"2024-08-14T16:18:45","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T23:18:45","slug":"3-strategies-for-private-practice-dentists-to-run-a-lean-dental-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/3-strategies-for-private-practice-dentists-to-run-a-lean-dental-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Strategies for Private Practice Dentists to Run a Lean Dental Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

The concept of\u00a0\u201clean\u201d\u00a0business practices\u00a0dates back to the assembly line made popular by Henry Ford.\u00a0It\u2019s the idea of finding efficiencies and reducing wasteful practices in a business. Applied to dentistry,\u00a0lean practices can help your practice adapt to recent challenges including staffing shortages and the COVID-19\u00a0pandemic.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Need to go Lean<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The past year and a half posed unique challenges for dental practices, one of the most pressing being the staffing shortages.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to ADA Health Policy data, one of the biggest shifts in the dental industry relates to staffing challenges.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA May (2021) poll from the ADA Health Policy Institute found 35.8% of owner dentists are recruiting dental assistants, 28.8% are seeking dental hygienists, 26.5% are looking to hire administrative staff and 13.1% are in search of associate dentists \u2014 all four percentages representing a rise in recruitment since October 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared with before the pandemic, more than 80% of owner dentists who are currently hiring are finding the recruitment of dental hygienists and assistants to be extremely or very challenging.<\/span>1<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The struggle is real, as experienced by Dr. De La Rosa, vice chair of the American Dental Association Council on Communications and a dental practice owner.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWeeks pass without applicant submissions, and temporary staffing services have no availability…I have experienced interview no-shows and poor attendance from new hires. This reduction in staff in combination with COVID-19-related patient screening and slower operatory setup and teardown requirements has resulted in fewer patients being scheduled.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>2<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge also extends to administrative and associate dentist staffing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHiring of administrative staff and associate dentists has presented difficulties as well, with more than 70% of owner dentists saying recruitment of administrative staff was extremely or very challenging and more than 50% of owners reporting the same for recruiting associate dentists.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>3<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suffice to say,\u00a0running a lean dental\u00a0practice\u00a0can prove\u00a0beneficial during this\u00a0challenging season.\u00a0With staffing shortages and lingering uncertainties of the pandemic, let\u2019s talk about\u00a0how you can run a\u00a0leaner and more profitable\u00a0private dental practice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3\u00a0Lean\u00a0Strategies to\u00a0Keep\u00a0Your\u00a0Dental\u00a0Practice\u00a0Competitive<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

1.\u00a0 Staff\u00a0Strategically<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you\u00a0approach how to staff your\u00a0office, it\u2019s\u00a0essential\u00a0to build a flexible and adaptable culture.\u00a0Your team workflows will benefit from being able to adapt and scale personnel around surges and dips in your schedule.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While patient\u00a0visits took a hit\u00a0during the pandemic,\u00a0patients\u00a0are now\u00a0growing more comfortable returning\u00a0to receive\u00a0dental care, making\u00a0staffing\u00a0shortages even more challenging.\u00a0Uncertainty is common as your\u00a0<\/span>daily schedule ebbs and flows<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n