Think Your Practice Is Efficient? Here’s What You Might Be Missing

If you’ve been in orthodontics for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the word efficiency thrown around at every conference, in every product pitch, and across countless articles.

But what does it truly mean for your practice, and—more importantly—why should you care?

What Efficiency REALLY Means in Orthodontics

At its core, efficiency = achieving the best results with the least waste of time, effort, or resources.

In an orthodontic practice, this means:

? Less unnecessary work – Reducing redundant appointments, admin, and clinical inefficiencies.

? More streamlined workflows – Optimising scheduling, reducing chair time, and avoiding bottlenecks.

? Higher patient throughput – Treating more patients effectively without overloading the team.

? Better resource utilisation – Making the most of staff time, technology, and clinic space.

? Improved patient experience – Minimising wait times, making treatment more convenient, and providing faster, more predictable outcomes.

What Does Efficiency Look Like in a Modern Orthodontic Practice?

Instead of thinking of "efficiency" as a vague concept, here’s what it can actually translate to in daily operations:

?? Appointments Only When Needed – Instead of seeing patients every 6-8 weeks by default, you monitor progress remotely and only schedule in-person visits when necessary.

?? Optimised Scheduling – Fewer emergency visits, better appointment predictability, and reduced gaps in the schedule.

?? Weekly Decision-Making – Clinical monitoring tools helping catch issues early, allowing proactive treatment adjustments instead of reactive corrections.

?? Reduced Admin Work – Automating reminders, digital patient tracking, and outsourced treatment planning to eliminate unnecessary manual tasks.

?? Happier Staff & Lower Stress – When the practice runs smoothly, your team isn’t overworked, and morale should be higher.

Why Efficiency Matters More Than Ever in 2025

1?? ?? Competitive Advantage

• Patients have more choice than ever. If another practice offers shorter wait times, more convenience, and digital engagement, they’ll pick them over you. Efficiency makes you more patient-friendly and attractive in a competitive market.

2?? ?? More Profitability, Less Waste

• A practice with maximised chair time, fewer unnecessary appointments, and reduced admin burden is simply more profitable. Every inefficiency costs money—whether it’s staff overtime, empty chairs, or missed opportunities.

3?? ?? Better Work-Life Balance

• Efficiency doesn’t just mean making more money—it means working smarter, not harder. Imagine finishing on time, reducing burnout, and eliminating unnecessary stress in your practice.

4?? ???? Higher Quality Care

• An efficient practice doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means delivering care in a way that’s predictable, proactive, and patient-friendly. DentalMonitoring and AI-driven insights allow for more precision in treatment.

The Real Cost of Inefficiency

If your practice is not efficient, then here’s what it could be costing you:

? Wasted Chair Time – Seeing patients who don’t need to be there, leading to lost revenue.

? Overworked Staff – Burnout from unnecessary admin and a chaotic schedule.

? Long Wait Lists & Unhappy Patients – Leading to patient attrition and lost referrals.

? Missed Growth Opportunities – You’re too busy keeping up with inefficiencies to scale or expand.

? Extra Cost of Creating New Capacity – Some practices extend their physical space or get new staff instead of maximising the efficiency of their diary with smarter scheduling. This could mean not having to build new surgeries or hire extra staff.

Bottom Line: Efficiency = Future Growth, Profitability, and Freedom

Efficiency is about running a more intelligent, profitable, and sustainable orthodontic practice. It means:

? Better patient outcomes

? Less stress for you and your team

? More profitability and long-term growth

And in 2025, I bet you the most successful orthodontic practices won’t just be the best clinically—they’ll be the best operationally too!

An example of Efficiency: Dr Bill Dischinger By integrating DentalMonitoring, he reduced his workdays from 16 per month to 11, cut his chairs from 6 to 3, and gave his patients more flexible appointment options—all while maintaining exceptional treatment outcomes and seeing the same number of patients come through his practice.

Bill Dischinger Webinar

Ready to Make Your Practice More Efficient?

We work with orthodontists to implement smarter workflows, AI-driven monitoring, and better patient engagement strategies that make their lives easier while growing their business. Let’s connect.