Scheduling After Covid
By Megan Urban, OMNI Practice Group
You are probably tired of thinking and talking about LAC, or Life After COVID, but it is coming ready or not. Here are some simple ideas that can make “re-entry” into your dental practice safe and smooth for you, your staff, and your patients. These are not necessarily new concepts, but they are not typically practiced in most offices and it is time to take them seriously.
Cleaning and treatment same day
Multiple offices discuss at morning huddle which patients in the dentist’s schedule need a cleaning. Be proactive and look 1 week ahead instead of the same day to allow more control of your schedule. Contact the patient ahead of time and create a schedule where the patient comes in for treatment and cleaning. Utilizing just one op would be ideal if possible.
Think in terms of patient families
Since most families have been quarantining together, look at all family members and have them all come in together for cleanings and treatment. They can fill the waiting room together and you can treat an entire family each morning. This will probably be more convenient for many patients too. Make sure you confirm these appointments properly, so you don’t have an empty half day.
Full mouth treatment
Don’t assume patients will not want to invest in cosmetic treatment. During quarantine, some of the most missed aspects of daily life were hair appointments, beard trims, manicures, pedicures, salon services, elective surgery, Botox treatments, etc. Personal appearance is definitely more important than many will admit and are willing to spend the money to make it happen. Even if it’s not cosmetic work, consider completing more than one quadrant of treatment at a time. Complete all treatments at one appointment reduces clean up and reduces time away from work for patients – which is more important now as everyone gets back to work.
Go forth and prosper.
Connect with Megan on LinkedIn!