Why a Strong Dental Hygiene Program Matters for Your Practice
Why an Exceptional Hygiene Program is Vital to Your Practice
A cutting-edge dental practice isn’t just about state-of-the-art technology or advanced techniques. A robust dental hygiene program forms the foundation of any successful general practice. It drives practice profitability, enhances patient care, and significantly boosts practice value.
Surprisingly, untapped opportunities for incremental revenue often exist within your current patient base, offering further growth potential with proper systems and focus.
Why is Your Hygiene Program So Important?
A well-designed hygiene program is critical for three main reasons: patient care, economic success, and practice value.
- Patient Care: Regular hygiene visits promote oral and overall health. Early detection of disease leads to less invasive treatments, better tooth retention, and a healthier, more confident smile. This fosters improved quality of life, personal fulfillment, and professional success.
- Practice Profitability: Hygiene programs generate substantial direct and indirect revenue. Direct revenue comes from hygiene services, while indirect revenue results from diagnosing and planning dental treatments. Hygiene procedures are also more profitable than dental procedures, requiring fewer materials, no assistants, and lower compensation rates.
- Practice Value: Buyers often prefer practices with robust hygiene programs. These programs are reliable, sustainable revenue streams, making practices more attractive to potential buyers. A stronger hygiene program leads to higher earnings and valuations.
Evaluating Your Hygiene Program
Before improving your hygiene program, start with a comprehensive assessment. Key metrics to evaluate include:
- Hygiene Compliance: This measures the percentage of patients attending regular hygiene appointments. Top-tier programs achieve over 90% compliance, compared to an average of 86%. Strategies include effective recall tracking and patient education on preventive care.
- Hygiene Consumption: Calculated as annual hygiene billings divided by the number of hygiene patients, this metric reflects the care delivered per patient. Patient demographics, appointment frequency, and treatment complexity all influence consumption.
- Hygiene Productivity: Productivity assesses how much revenue is generated per hygiene hour. Aligning hygiene hours with patient demand and ensuring proper billing practices maximizes this metric.
Tips for Enhancing Your Hygiene Program
If your program needs improvement, consider the following strategies:
- Educate Patients: Build awareness about periodontal health, preventive care, and the value of regular hygiene visits.
- Engage Your Team: Foster a culture of excellence, equip hygienists with modern tools, and encourage professional growth.
- Individualize Care: Tailor treatment plans, appointment lengths, and frequency to meet each patient’s needs.
- Optimize Recall Systems: Use advanced technology to track recalls, confirm appointments, and reschedule cancellations promptly.
- Maximize Billing Efficiency: Ensure hygienists are billing for all care delivered, including scaling and root planing.
- Balance Hygiene Capacity and Demand: Schedule hygiene hours to minimize gaps and ensure patient convenience.
Building a thriving hygiene program is essential for both patient health and practice success. A professional practice appraisal can identify strengths and uncover opportunities for growth, enabling your practice to reach its full potential.
For more information, contact Dr. Patti-Anne Jones at patti-anne.jones@henryschein.ca, 289-888-1814, or connect on LinkedIn.
