Morning huddles are as important to a dental team as sideline huddles are to a football team. If you want your team to be on the same page you must communicate. The most important communication of the day, if done correctly, is your morning huddle.
There are several things you should accomplish in a 10 to 15 minute huddle.
A Doctor or Scheduling coordinator should facilitate.
- Have all providers and assistants review their schedule prior to the huddle. Any questions or concerns they have about a patient or the schedule can be addressed at this time.
- Hygienists and Assistants should review their patients’ records prior to the morning huddle, make a note of treatment or re-care appointments needed and mention it in the morning huddle so the entire team knows of the need. If there is a change in the schedule and a patient needs treatment you can save them an extra trip to the dentist by offering to complete treatment while they are in the office.
- This is the best time for Doctor(s) and clinical team members to review the schedule and decide the best times to see emergency patients.
- Any housekeeping issues that cannot wait until your regular team meeting, should be addressed during the morning huddle.
- Hygienists should take this opportunity to make the team aware of extra time needed with the Doctor (for anesthesia, new patient exam etc…).
- Discuss team goals; where you stand and what you need to do to reach your goals.
- Scheduling Coordinator: This is the best time to make your team aware of life events for patients on the schedule. i.e.; marriage, new baby, death in family etc…
- Review the schedule from the prior day. Discuss follow-up where needed and address outstanding issues.
Some benefits you will receive by committing to a morning huddle:
- Knowing patient needs in advance, you can make that the supplies and lab cases are available.
- Increased productivity by having the entire team aware of patients who have outstanding treatment .
- Improved profitability by identifying unscheduled treatment and unscheduled patients.
- Improved team morale by identifying who needs help throughout the day and making sure someone is available to help.
- Effective handling of emergencies because the clinical team is involved in selecting the best time.
- Keeping the team informed of daily production goals and reinforcing that it is a team effort to meet them.
It’s best to close the huddle on a positive note by thanking everyone for their participation and wishing all a good day.
