Where Do You Learn About Efficiency?

July 1, 2025
Topics: Dental
Written by: Dental Success Network

Every morning at 6 a.m., my day kicks off with two things: cats and coffee. Specifically, feeding my two hyper-punctual Bengal cats (who will perish if breakfast is five minutes late) and making coffee for my wife (an fresh ground Americano with oat milk, crafted from one of those fancy machines).

I’m not just a cat wrangler and barista; I’m a diehard efficiency nut. So naturally, I started looking at how I could systemize and combine these morning rituals. What I discovered applies far beyond the kitchen—it’s the same logic that makes dental appointments run smoothly and keeps your practice profitable.

In any process, there’s a rate-limiting step: the part where you’re waiting on something to happen. With coffee, it’s the grind-brew-dispense cycle. With cats, it’s waiting for them to finish eating so I can pick up the bowls. At first, I handled each task separately. Then I had a lightbulb moment—why not tackle both in parallel during those wait periods? Boom! I saved time, scored points with my wife, and avoided hangry cats.

So What Does This Have to do with Dentistry?

Plenty!

Most dentists when they ask about efficiency are thinking of the procedure itself—how fast they can prep a crown or complete a root canal. But there’s another level of efficiency hiding in plain sight: the appointment.

Think of all the steps that go into a one-hour molar root canal, buildup, and crown. I count at least 18. And, they don’t all need to happen in a straight line. Financial arrangements? They can be done while the room’s being set up. Waiting for the patient to get numb? That’s prime time to get impressions, hygiene checks, or scanning done.

The real key is identifying those rate-limiting steps (financial consent, topical placement, anesthetic onset, setting impression material) and pairing them with tasks that keep things moving. Not only does this cut down on chair time, it increases productivity without sacrificing quality.

Want to Boost Efficiency in Your Practice Starting Monday Morning? Ask Yourself:

“Am I waiting on something or could I be doing something else right now?”
Could we rearrange tasks to avoid downtime?”
Can a team member be trained to take this off my plate?

Too many dentists are burning time between steps, not realizing it’s time they’ll never get back. Find those gaps, fill them with purpose; suddenly your schedule runs smoother, your team’s happier, and you’re not stuck digging out of a backed-up operatory at 5:30 p.m.

Efficiency isn’t about rushing. It’s about aligning your steps so every minute counts. Sometimes it starts with cats and coffee.