Scheduling Tips
Appointment Scheduling Tips for Dentists
Managing a dental schedule is a high-stakes balancing act between routine cleanings and high-value procedures like crowns or extractions. When you are deep in an operatory with your hands in a patient's mouth, you cannot step away to answer the phone, but missing that call often means losing a $600 emergency extraction to the clinic down the street.
The Rock, Pebble, and Sand Method
To maximize your daily production, you must schedule your 'Rocks' or high-production procedures first. These are your $800 crowns and $1,500 bridges. Aim to place these in the morning when you and your staff are most focused. 'Pebbles' are mid-range jobs like $300 fillings, which can fill the gaps between your major cases. 'Sand' represents your $150 routine cleanings and exams, which should be managed primarily by your hygienists. By blocking your morning for high-value work, you ensure the practice hits its financial goals before lunch, leaving the afternoon for lower-stress maintenance tasks.
Key takeaway: Front-load your most expensive procedures in the morning to protect your daily revenue targets.
Handling Emergency Toothaches and Broken Crowns
Dental emergencies like a severe abscess or a knocked-out tooth cannot wait for a week. If you do not answer the phone immediately, these patients will call every dentist on Google until someone picks up. SkipCalls can act as your AI receptionist, booking these high-priority patients into specific 'emergency blocks' you leave open each day. We recommend leaving two 30-minute slots open—one right before lunch and one in the mid-afternoon. If no emergency calls by 10 AM, your team can fill the lunch slot with a quick filling or a follow-up exam.
