In the dynamic world of dental practice management, setting clear and attainable goals is crucial for success. As someone deeply invested in dental practice efficiency, I emphasize the significance of setting production goals and the practical steps to forecast the future using Dentrix. Engaging your team in the goal setting and monitoring process can create an engaged, motivated, and highly productive team. I know, I have seen it.
Listen to full episode on Apple:
Listen to full episode on Soundcloud:
Effective appointment book management is vital for dental practices striving for profitability and efficiency. Over the past weeks, we’ve discussed setting up appointment book views and now we’ll dive into the critical aspect of goal setting in Dentrix. This ensures that scheduling is both productive and profitable.
The primary focus should be on daily production goals rather than monthly totals. This approach helps in evaluating daily performance, which can vary significantly due to differing workdays in a month. For example, producing $100,000 over ten days versus sixteen days provides very different daily insights. Establishing a daily goal for the entire practice and individual providers ensures objective tracking of performance and necessary adjustments.
Goals aren’t arbitrary; they derive from overhead costs and desired practice outcomes. Doctors should consult their CPA or financial advisor to determine realistic goals. These discussions shape the financial vision for the practice, encompassing staff raises, CE trips, and lifestyle aspirations. From this, specific production goals are set, grounded in the practice’s overhead requirements.
Using a practical example, let’s say a practice decides their staff salary percentage should be 22%. If the actual percentage exceeds this, they must either cut salaries or increase collections, with the latter usually preferred. Understanding staff total compensation is crucial. This includes wages, taxes, CE allowances, clothing allowances, and other benefits. For instance, a hygienist earning $50/hour might have a total compensation of $80/hour. Hence, they should produce $200/hour to meet their goal.
To manage these goals, input them into Dentrix under the analysis section. Here, monthly goals for each provider can be set, viewable on the appointment book and various reports like the daily huddle and production forecast. These tools enable continuous tracking and adjustment to stay aligned with the goals.
Proper goal setting and tracking transform a busy schedule into a productive one, ensuring the practice can offer raises, bonuses, CE trips, and more. Effective appointment book management and goal setting are indispensable for a high-performing dental team. For assistance with this process, I’m always here to help.
