Morning Huddle Objectives
Kicking the day off right and with a plan helps keep the entire team on the same page. Here are some objectives for your morning huddle.
Why?
- Better organization by planning the day, instead of just letting it happen
- Know patient needs in advance and see the supplies and lab cases are there
- Confirm necessary supplies and all lab cases present
- Increase productivity and profitability by having the entire team aware of patients who have not scheduled. Use the information to motivate patients to accept treatment
- Improve team morale by deciding who needs support throughout the day and assigning a person to assist. Additionally, an opportunity to greet each other!
- Effective handling of emergencies because the clinical team is involved in selecting the best time
- The team is better informed of daily production goals and reinforces team effort to meet and exceed those goals
How?
- Doctor to lead, before the first patient appointment of the day
- The entire team is required to attend
- Accomplished in approximately 15 minutes
- The clinical team has previously reviewed patient charts for today’s treatment, outstanding treatment, and lab cases
- The administrative team has checked messages and updated the schedule with any changes
- Each team member has an updated copy of the schedule for their notes
Morning Huddle Format & Objectives
Administrative Team Member Opens the Meeting
- Daily production schedule
- Progress towards goal
- Any financial challenges and patients needing a meeting
- Next available DDS and RDH opening
- Identify patients who should not be pre-scheduled (chronic N/S)
- Identify targeted patient(s) to ask for referrals
RDH Summarizes Daily Patients
- Any changes (no x-rays needed, PCHT needed, etc.)
- Outstanding treatment
- Patients who need to be transitioned into a perio code to allow the Doctor to be prepared
- Times support is needed (i.e.: PCHT to allow the patient an opportunity to hear the numbers and engage more fully in their care)
- Anything of a personal note to celebrate with the patient (birthday, etc.)
- New patients – notes who they were referred by, any special concerns
Dental Assistant Summarizes Daily Patients in the Restorative Column
- Any changes to treatment listed
- If any crown/bridge prep needs a BWX or IO photo before starting treatment – all crown and bridge should have both on file before preps
- All cases to be seated are in the office or need immediate follow up with the lab
- Possible chair conversions (restorative patients who are due/overdue for a cleaning that may be able to take a last-minute no-show appointment)
- Any challenges in the timing of the schedule
- Anything of a personal note to celebrate with the patient (birthday, etc.)
DDS
- Selects the best time in the schedule for emergencies
- Ends the meeting on a positive note
Here’s a daily agenda to kick off your meeting: