4 Rules of Efficient Scheduling
- Start at the top, and go down, or start at the bottom and work up, NEVER start in the middle.
- Leave nowhite space in the provider’s time bar on left side of screen (i.e. most appts overlap 20 min).
- Try to schedule appointments in first available opening independent of who did the exam. (unless large case with implants, dentures, etc)
Clarification
- It is the dentist’s responsibility to customize his times so the office doesn’t run late.
- White times at end of appointments can be shorted to better Tetris the schedule except at end of shifts (ie lunch and end of day).
- Same day appointments are offered to all patients (often just limited with no promise of completing work).
- If a patient wants work completed same day, there is no promise but if they come sooner in the day there is a better chance they can get work done.
- During open hours, patients get priority attention; after closing time, team members get priority treatment.
- If there is room in Hygiene, scheduler puts CmpEx/PerEx or LimEx in hygiene in that order. If no room in hygiene, then only put LimEx in Drs Schedule. (We want to keep Dr schedule open for confirmed tx)
- Exams in Dr Schedule should be put in for “Choose Dentist” so the first available dentist can service the pt and production.
- Always try to Tetris the schedule
- When Tetrising schedule, move LimEx to Hygiene if time is available.
- When Tetrising, only move appt once pt agrees, with voicemail we can’t move appt yet, just leave note.
- When Dr has once column to help with times, only LimEx and PostOp allowed in column with no Dr assigned.
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