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In this Series, we have examined how to improve efficiency in veterinary dentistry by Part 1: Reviewing your instruments, Part 2: Maintaining your instruments and Part 3: Investing in your Team.
This month we’re discussing how an audit of your dental workspace can help improve workflow. Even a simple task like sorting your dental instruments into kits appropriate to the size or species of your patients will improve workflow and save time in the long run:
So, what are some simple changes you can make to improve workflow in your practice?
Streamlining processes and the designation of tasks involves examining how your team can be best utilised and how tasks can be delegated across the team.
Speed and efficiency improve when each team member can better focus on their individual task. A simple yet effective example of improved workflow is delegating tasks across the team in the production of dental radiographs. For example:
Effective communication builds collaboration and minimises errors, leading to improved productivity and better patient outcomes.
Ensuring a clear and organised schedule between procedures includes allowing adequate time and resources between procedures to reset the dental workspace ready for the next patient.
We often forget that this takes time, especially if you have only one dental station and a single instrument kit.
Another option? Invest in a second dental workstation!
Optimising your dental area with a well-organised space promotes a smooth workflow. This requires you to organise your instruments and equipment logically to minimise movement during procedures.
Standardising setups for your most common dental procedures helps to save time and ensure that you have all the right tools for the job!
Utilise the features of your Practice Management System (PMS) for templates for patient records and invoicing, along with digital charting records. Not only will this save you time in the dental operation, but also for your administration team. Not having to scan handwritten charts will also ensure your patient’s records are current and up to date at all times.
So there you have it, simple ideas that improve workflow and save you time, reduce anaesthetic procedure length and reduce stress amongst the team.
If you’re considering expanding your dental equipment with a second table, iM3 has the solutions, including dental tables, to help take your dentistry to the next level.
Check out the iM3 Shona Examination and Dental Table, which doubles as a Consult/Examination AND a Veterinary Dental Table. It comes with all of the quality and reliability you expect from iM3, including the unique dental tray developed for iM3 Tara, with edge-to-edge drainage, anti-spill wave breakers and easy cleaning.
Benefits:
Find out more about the Shona Dental Table HERE
After listening to many years of feedback, the iM3 team have designed the ultimate dental table for your practice, including warming! The warming plates bring the surface of the table up to between 30 and 35C, and depending on the environment, it can take up to 4 hours to reach the maximum temperature.
Benefits:
Find out more about the Tara Table HERE
Visit the iM3 website to see more information on dental tables.
For over 15 years Maggie has worked in small animal general practice and we’re sure she’s a familiar face to many in the industry. Her passion for dentistry led to her obtaining the Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental) and the Veterinary Technician Specialty VTS (Dentistry). Maggie has experience in General Practice Dentistry as well as in Specialty practice having conducted nurse dental clinics and assisting in both general and advanced specialty procedures. As an experienced and qualified trainer, Maggie has provided training in dentistry to veterinary teams both domestically and internationally and brings her contagious passion for dentistry to her role at iM3 in providing training and support to our clients.
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