Declutter Your Practice Processes: A New Year’s Clean-Up Challenge

The new year is just around the corner, and I’ve got a challenge for you and your team: declutter your dental practice processes and set yourselves up for a more productive, efficient, and profitable 2025. Think of it as your practice’s New Year’s clean-up. A streamlined practice doesn’t just run better—it grows stronger.

Let’s dive into these bite-sized steps to transform your workflows. Complete all the steps to finish the challenge and position your practice for success in the new year!

Start the 7-Step Practice Efficiency Challenge

Step 1: Purge Aging Accounts Receivable

Aging accounts can drag down your financial health and clutter your books. Start by auditing your accounts receivable and clearing out overdue balances.

• Offer online payment options or send friendly text reminders to make it easy for patients to pay.
• Update your messaging with a positive tone, like: “We’ve made it even easier to settle your balance—click here to pay online today!”

✅ Outcome: A cleaner ledger and improved cash flow heading into 2025.

Step 2: Refresh Patient Intake Forms

Intake forms are the foundation of a well-oiled practice. Are yours up to date?

• Ensure the forms capture all the details your team needs, from insurance information to treatment preferences.
• Add fields to spark conversations about elective treatments like whitening or aligners.
• Go digital to minimize errors and streamline the process for your team and patients.
• Have your forms been reviewed by counsel recently? Consider sending them to your legal advisor to make sure they are up to date on current privacy and other laws.

✅ Outcome: Fewer insurance hiccups and better opportunities for treatment acceptance.

Step 3: Consolidate Consent Forms

Too many forms can create chaos for your team and patients. Simplify things by consolidating similar consent forms into one organized document.

• Group consents by appointment type (e.g., “New Patient Visit Consents”) and clearly label sections.

✅ Outcome: Streamlined paperwork that’s easier for everyone to manage.

Step 4: Declutter Your Schedule

An organized schedule is key to reducing stress and maximizing productivity.

• Organize appointment types into workflows that minimize downtime and maximize production.
• Double-check your online scheduling system—are patients finding it easy to book appointments, even after hours?

✅ Outcome: A smoother schedule and happier patients.

Step 5: Create a Smooth After-Hours Experience

Patients value convenience, so make sure they can connect with your practice outside of office hours.

• Enable online scheduling, two-way texting, and automated responses to stay accessible.
• Test how easy it is for patients to book or reach your team when the office is closed.

✅ Outcome: A more connected and patient-friendly experience.

Step 6: Reimagine the Morning Huddle

Your morning huddle should be more than a rundown of appointments—it’s your team’s daily strategy session.

• Use data-driven insights to focus on key priorities like unscheduled treatments, outstanding balances, and patient-specific notes.

✅ Outcome: A motivated and aligned team ready to tackle the day.

Step 7: Make Space for Growth

Decluttering your workflows now clears the way for growth in the new year.

• Identify inefficiencies and look for opportunities to simplify processes.
• Use this clean-up as a foundation to support practice growth in 2025.

✅ Outcome: A streamlined, growth-ready practice.

Bonus: Let Technology Help You Declutter

Feeling overwhelmed? The right tools can make this challenge easier and more effective.

Curve Dental’s^® cloud-based all-in-one practice management software streamlines everything from billing to scheduling and beyond:

• Tidy Up Aging Accounts: Automate payment follow-ups and send statements via text or email.
• Streamline Intake Forms: Customize digital forms to promote accuracy and boost treatment discussions.
• Organize Consent Forms: Group consents by appointment type for easy access.
• Declutter Scheduling: Maximize efficiency with Curve’s Tag Methodology and online booking tools.
• Enhance After-Hours Access: Stay connected with Curve Mobile’s two-way texting and 24/7 patient communication.
• Boost Morning Huddles: Use real-time data from Curve’s Snapshot Tool to guide focused team meetings.

Ready to Complete the Challenge?

Finish all the steps to declutter your practice processes and set the stage for a productive, profitable 2025. And if you're not already using the right tools to successfully complete this challenge, click here to explore how Curve can make it easier to meet your goals and grow your practice!