Successful Team Communication

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:

 


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