When you hear the term production, you may think of industries such as manufacturing, where an organization produces a bunch of widgets for consumers. In the dental field, production refers to the total value of the services your practice provides, calculated at your standard rates—often known as your usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) fees.

Basically, it’s the full fee your office would charge if every patient paid out-of-pocket, without any adjustments for insurance discounts or write-offs. But what if your production isn’t where you want it to be? What can you do? We have some answers about what might be getting in the way.

Five reasons dental practices might experience unsatisfactory production rates.

Anytime something isn’t going right in a business, it’s important to look at the root causes of the problem, versus trying to apply a bandage to the situation. Failing to understand the root cause of the problem can be costly.

Here are five reasons that many dental practices are experiencing poor production rates. And we’ve taken it a step further by offering some guidance on how you can turn things around.

1. Inefficient Practice Management

Inefficiency is what can throw the knockout punch to end any business. Inefficient practice management can manifest in various ways, such as disorganized scheduling, unclear communication among team members, or an overcomplicated billing process.

These issues lead to wasted time, frustrated staff, and ultimately, lower production. To resolve these inefficiencies, start by reorganizing your processes—simplify scheduling, clarify roles and responsibilities, and make sure your billing system is clear and easy to understand. Regular staff meetings can also help keep everyone on the same page, keeping your practice on track.

2. Lack of Team Training and Engagement

One of our favorite adages goes something like this:

 

A CFO comments to the CEO: “What happens if we invest in our employees, but then they decide to leave?”

The CEO thinks for a moment and then responds: “What happens if we don’t invest in them, and they stay?”

 

When you think about that adage, it demonstrates the risk to employees and what can happen when you don’t invest in their success. Employees who don’t receive the proper training and encouragement to expand their skill development can become complacent, and eventually stagnant. On the other hand, when employees know their leader invests in them and cares about their future, their loyalty grows.

3. Outdated or Insufficient Technology

Today’s technology makes us more efficient than ever. Yes, sometimes technology can cause a distraction that lowers productivity, but in most cases, it’s a great development for businesses. In the dental field, technology, such as digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and practice management software, can significantly increase dental practice production.

Digital X-rays provide quick and accurate imaging, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment planning. Intraoral cameras give patients a clear view of their oral health, which can lead to better communication and increased treatment acceptance. Practice management software simplifies scheduling, billing, and patient records, freeing up time for staff to focus on patient care.

By incorporating these technologies, your practice can operate more efficiently, improve patient experiences, and ultimately see a positive impact on production.

4. Poor Patient Scheduling Strategies

Remember that dental production is a calculation of the total value of the services your practice provides within a specific period. Poor scheduling strategies can disrupt this calculation, leading to problems like overscheduling or underscheduling.

Overscheduling can overwhelm your team, making them feel overworked, and lead to rushed appointments and a lower quality of care. It can also cause long wait times, frustrating your patients. On the other hand, underscheduling leaves gaps in your day, resulting in wasted time and missed revenue opportunities.

Both situations can harm your practice’s production and patient satisfaction.
PS, investing in high-quality dental scheduling technology can help solve this problem.

5. Limited Service Offerings

Dental practices can offer more than general dentistry services, like professional dental cleaning, fillings, crowns, etc. Patients appreciate when dental practices offer a more comprehensive suite of services that can keep them from running across town for this or that procedure.

Consider investing in training and additional staff to offer services, such as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, or even dental implants. Expanding your offerings allows you to meet more of your patients’ needs in-house, making your practice a one-stop destination for their dental care.

This not only increases convenience for your patients but also opens up new revenue streams for your practice, ultimately contributing to higher production rates.

Need help with your dental practice production?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, and you’re not sure where to start to improve dental production, the team at Jameson Management & Marketing is here to help. With years of experience as dental advisors, we understand the challenges that dental practices face when trying to increase production and revenue.

Our dental business coaches work closely with you to identify areas for improvement and develop customized strategies that align with your goals. Whether you’re looking for complete dental practice consulting or specific guidance through our DDS learning programs, our dental advisors can provide the support you need to improve your practice’s production and efficiency.

Don’t let the challenges of running a dental practice hold you back. Sign up for Jameson Coaching and take the first step toward a more successful, productive dental practice. Pick your plan today.