A treatment room or consultation area is best.  The front office area is not the place to meet.  But we do want a sign at the front desk to let patients know the team is in a short meeting.  Here is an example of a sign you might consider:

“Welcome!  We are preparing for the day and will be right with you.  Please make yourself comfortable.  Thank you.”  

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Professionalism Here!

Choose a location for the morning huddle that allows you to hear the reception area.  However, be sure to keep voices low.  We never want to have patients overhear our conversations.  And remember, the huddle is all about our patients.

So, we will be talking about them!  But in a very respectful and positive manner.  We must speak about our patients as if they might overhear.  Because they just might!

Dental office morning huddles begin with a quick greeting.   Say hello to each other and smile.  It’s important to take a moment to check in on each other as we assemble.  We want to be sure we are all okay and ready for the day.  We want everyone’s undivided attention.  Now is not the time to brush our hair, eat our breakfast, or put on makeup.  It’s time to begin.

Each team member holds a schedule for the day.  Or perhaps reads from a computer screen but may hold their own individual notes.  I find it most helpful to print a schedule for the day and write on that schedule.  I make notes of anything I want to mention during the morning huddle.

Hygienists Share First

Each dental hygienist will read through the patients on their individual schedules.  And I suggest reading each patient’s name.  Don’t skip anyone!  That one patient you skip is the one you will miss something on.  Briefly share what is on the schedule for this patient today.  What else does the hygienist need to share?

• Patient’s name
• Unscheduled treatment
• Recent or upcoming medical treatment
• Any recent referrals to specialists
• Perio needs / recare plan
• When is patient due for fmx?
• Is patient due for exam?

Hygiene Coordinators

What if your team has a hygiene coordinator?  Some offices do!  The hygiene coordinator can check on each patient’s family members.  Is there a family member who is not pre-scheduled for hygiene?  This is also something that a front office team member can look at.  And be ready to share this with the team as well.

The Dentist’s Schedule

The schedule coordinator that manages this schedule reads each patient’s name.  And follow that up with what each patient has scheduled for the day.  It really is helpful to say these things.

Dental assistants and dentists will have input as well on each procedure.  Are we waiting on a lab case?  Is there any anticipated hiccup anywhere that we see?  Is there a report the team needs from a specialist?  Does a patient require any special consideration not noted?

New Patient Focus

And review your new patients!  Do you have everything you need for each new patient on your schedule?  Be prepared with a brief run down on who referred your new patient and what their dental history or immediate needs might be too!