Happy summer. Yes, here in central Florida, summer is in full effect. We are going to be in the low 90s all week, and I am heading to Siesta Key this weekend with a few other dentists. If you have not been there, check it out because it is very nice. I want to give you an update on the semi-retired dentist that was working with us. I should have listened to the comments left on my last blog. All of the comments said to get him out of here. Well, a few weeks ago, we decided it was time for him to move on. The staff was constantly complaining about him and his patient,s and we started to have some real concerns about other areas as well. It was not easy or fun to tell him the ride was over, but it had to be done. We felt bad telling someone that could be my grandfather that he needed to find another dental office to call home. He did not understand and was not happy, but he was cooperative and not nasty about it. Best of luck to him. I am glad we are moving on.
The other dentist leaving opens up a chair for the practice to expand in other ways. We have been trying to figure out what the signs or clues would be when it is time to bring on another hygienist. I am sure many so-called “dental experts” would have all kinds of indicators. The one we are looking at is rather simple. If a patient calls, how long will it take to find an appointment? When we looked the other day, it was almost six weeks. I think that if a new patient called and wanted to come in for an exam and cleaning, waiting six weeks might be a turn-off. The doctors can usually find an appointment within two weeks, but not hygiene. We had a hygienist go home sick the other day and we cannot get those patients back in for several weeks. The summer time is usually our slow time. While having all three hygienists booked out six weeks solid is a good problem to have, it is still a problem. We are thinking of trying to add one 8-hour day per week to see if we can keep the hygienist busy and open up availability for patients.
We are very thankful to still be growing, but it is stressful. If you have any thoughts out there, let me know.
Have a great week.
J.J.
Good to hear you guys are so busy. Been abit slow out in Vegas of late. Economy taking its toll on all of us. Yes, I agree definitely time to add another hygienist. Good situation to be in.
ReplyDeleteHa! that is a good problem to have. I work in an office w/ 2 chairs, 4 hygienist, open 7 days a week with hygiene MOn-Sat. We had the same problem, so the only solution was to have hygiene on 1 sunday out of the month, and have a double hygiene day on tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteFunny how things work out. The solution to your problems was right in front of you. In this economy its great to have our issue.
Ha! that is a good problem to have. I work in an office w/ 2 chairs, 4 hygienist, open 7 days a week with hygiene MOn-Sat. We had the same problem, so the only solution was to have hygiene on 1 sunday out of the month, and have a double hygiene day on tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteFunny how things work out. The solution to your problems was right in front of you. In this economy its great to have our issue.