Efficiency Is the Key to a Prosperous and Fulfilling Orthodontic Practice
Table of Contents
Why Efficiency Matters (More Than Ever)
Efficiency helps make orthodontic practices better. When things run well, everyone wins! The AAO Survey in 2024 showed that efficient practices make 28% more money. They also keep staff longer. Only 41% of workers leave these practices. And they get 22% more new patients!
Patients today want:
- Shorter treatment times
- Fewer visits to the office
- Quick results with tools like Spark Aligners®
When orthodontists work in a practice that is not efficient, they feel bad. A study says 63% of them feel stressed because of this!
6 Orthodontic Efficiency Hacks Backed by Data
1. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Use tools that work by themselves:
- Online scheduling (Weave®)
- AI charting (Pearl®)
- Payment automation (OrthoFi®)
This saves 4.3 hours each week for each doctor .
2. Optimize Invisalign/Spark Workflows
Strategy: Use iTero® scanners with AlignTech’s Earned Placement™ AI. This cuts fixes by 51%!
Tip: Send scans to labs on Tuesdays and Thursdays when labs work fastest.
3. Streamline Team Roles
Make your team work better by giving each person clear jobs:
- One person does bonding
- Another does adjustments
- Everyone knows their tasks
This helps see 17% more patients each day .
4. Implement Lean Inventory Management
Keep track of your supplies with RFID tracking for brackets and aligners. The Dentsply Sirona® system helps a lot!
This saves $12,000 each year by not wasting supplies.
5. Master Case Acceptance
Use the AAO-recommended “3-Minute Value Pitch” when talking to parents and teens.
Show what teeth will look like after treatment with uLab® or SureSmile®. This helps 78% of people say yes!
6. Shortcut Insurance Processing
Use Dentrix® with AutoAttendant AI to check insurance in 90 seconds instead of 10 minutes.
Tools Doubling Orthodontic Practice Efficiency
Good tools help make work faster and better:
| Tool | What It Does | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl® AI | Makes X-ray checks faster | 40% faster |
| Weave® Chatbots | Answers common questions | Handles 62% of questions |
| OrthoSnap® | Checks aligners from far away | Cuts emergency visits |
| RevenueWell® | Helps with money tasks | 33% fewer claim problems |
Staff Training Secrets of Top 1% Practices
The best practices train their teams really well:
Daily Huddle Template
- Meet from 7:45-8:00 AM
- Talk about only 4 things
- Keep it short and clear
Cross-Training Matrix
Let workers learn different jobs:
- Hygiene → Sterilization → Billing
- Change jobs every 6 months
Bonus Structure
Give 30% of bonuses based on being efficient. For example, if chair time is less than 12 minutes on average.
Patient Flow Optimization
Make the patient experience smooth from start to finish:
Pre-Appointment
Send forms by phone before visits using WeChat® or WhatsApp®. This makes check-in 9 minutes faster!
In-Office
- Use RFID wristbands that tell staff when patients arrive
- Give iPads with Ortho Education Games to teens in the waiting room
Post-Appointment
Send text messages for:
- Reminders about next visits
- Review requests that are easy to answer
Measuring Efficiency Gains
Track these things each month:
- Chair Utilization Rate (try for more than 82%)
- Adjustment/Refinement Rate (keep under 18% for aligner cases)
- New Patient Show Rate (aim for 94% or better)
Get the free AAO’s Practice Efficiency Scorecard to help track these .
Overcoming Common Efficiency Killers
Problem: “My team resists new tech!”
Fix: Start with just one volunteer. Show how it works. Then get more people to use it.
Problem: “Too many broken brackets!”
Fix: Use OrthoBite™ resin and better brackets like Damon™ Q. This means 60% fewer breaks!
Problem: “Insurance headaches slow us down!”
Fix: Let NEA™ billing specialists handle it for $8.50 per claim.
“Efficient Orthodontist” Checklist
- [ ] Automate 3 tasks that repeat
- [ ] Check inventory and remove old items
- [ ] Train staff in at least one new skill
- [ ] Add ways to check patients from far away
- [ ] Compare your practice to 2024 AAO standards
The Digital Advantage in Modern Orthodontics
Digital tools make orthodontic practices run better. Orthodontic Staffing Solutions helps practices find the right people. With good staff and the right tools, work gets easier.
3D printing in orthodontics is changing how things work. It makes custom items faster and better. Digital Dental Lab services help practices use these new tools.
When a practice uses Orthodontic Retainer dental lab services, they can focus on patients while experts make the retainers. This makes the whole practice more efficient.
Work-Life Balance: The Ultimate Benefit
When an orthodontic practice runs well, doctors and staff have:
- Less stress
- More time at home
- Higher job satisfaction
Dr. Greg Jorgensen, an expert in making practices better, says: “When your practice runs well, you can help more patients AND have time for yourself.”
Conclusion
Efficiency is not just about making more money. It helps everyone:
- Patients get better care
- Staff feel less stressed
- Orthodontists enjoy their work more
By using the tips in this article, your practice can grow and be a place where everyone wants to be.
Start with just one change this week. See how it helps. Then try another!
