Running late
When I visit a practice I always watch what time patients arrive. In some practices almost every patient arrives late.That tells me that the dentist has a time problem. The dentist has trained his patients that he doesn't run to time and so neither do they.There really is no excuse for chronically running behind time. It:
- Demotivates and frustrates the staff.
- Burns off patients. Many people won't accept being kept waiting.
- Puts the dentist under the hammer.
If your practice runs late regularly now is the time to put it right. Time your procedures and then book to the timings. Use your average, not your best. Allow a few minutes for problems.If you can fix your lateness problem you will find your busyness increasing. The patients you were losing will start staying around.