A dental office needs to have both a customer satisfaction guarantee and great resale value. What cements these two together is, first and foremost, the dentist’s happiness - your happiness with the work you do. You should be able to come to your office every day with enthusiasm and the drive to deliver great results. Here are 5 fast ways to improve your office and get you going each day.
1. Add a little touch of nature
A lot of people underestimate what a plant can do for a room. Simply adding a tiny piece of nature to your office can add a lot of warmth and give a welcoming feel to your workplace. One of the favorite pieces in offices is the cactus. Not only does it make your office look pleasing, it also offers health benefits. Your office emits radiation from all your electrical equipment, and a cactus can soak it all up, reducing the amount that you and your patients are exposed to and making the office safer!
2. Stay up-to-date
You must embrace the technology of digital communication. The use of services like Lighthouse 360 or Smile Reminders will make reminders for patients’ appointments much easier through emails and text messages. People always check their smartphones and tend to neglect home voicemails. These services will help manage no-show appointments because patients will receive reminders up to an hour before their scheduled appointment. Your office will know if a patient will be coming in or if there will be extra time for the patient currently sitting in the chair.
When you purchase dental software, review everything. Read reviews online or ask your friends if they have used such products or services. The last thing you need is to sign a one-sided licensing agreement. It may be scary to think that the software might go wrong or produce more errors than results, but the key is to familiarize yourself with the software before diving in. There is software available that offers free trials; make sure to take advantage of free trials to gauge how useful that software is.
3. Color Coordinate
It’s safe to include your favorite color in the office. Some people avoid doing this to keep everything professional-looking. However, making use of your favorite color doesn’t have to look like an unorganized splash of colors. You can start small, perhaps with your stationery – a pair of scissors, a stapler, and other small essential items in your color would be great. Then move on to other things, such as your filing system; archive boxes do not have to look ugly at all. You can spruce things up with complementary colors that will suit your office just fine. You can even add some family photographs for your desk, but make sure not to overdo it.
If you’re unsure on how to go about redecorating your office, there are interior decorators who can help you improve your office. The good news is that a lot of them offer free consultations. They will help your office look modern while incorporating your favorite colors.
4. Clean up
This may seem like a basic thing to do, but it can do wonders for your office. Decluttering your desk and office means your brain gets decluttered too. It’s refreshing to see organized office space. Do you remember your first day in your office? Try to visualize that as motivation to keep everything neat. Make sure to have enough trash bins that are visible and accessible even to your patients. This will lessen the amount of trash to collect at the end of the day.
5. Get a top-tier office chair
No great office is complete without an amazing, comfortable chair. You will be using your chair for several hours each day. Find the right fabric and color to complement your office. Consider well-padded chairs for the ultimate experience. Ask yourself questions like how long you will be sitting in it, how does it feel rubbing against your legs, will it hurt to sit for longer periods, etc. Make sure your back is also well supported with the chair you choose. You can look into adding back supports for extra comfort.
The main goal with every office is to make it as comfortable as possible. Need a pillow? Go ahead. Dentistry is a serious profession but it doesn’t have to be boring. If you are considering transitioning out of your dental practice in a few years, improving the look and feel of your office will help to add more value. If you do it properly, you can sell your dental practice in a short amount of time.
No matter what people may have told you in the past, you do not have to settle for an uncomfortable, bland office. There are several things you can do to make your office more welcoming and a fun place to go to work!
