The dental industry is constantly increasing in pace – in every aspect. From clinical work to clerical tasks, patient experience workflows to finances and more, the pressures that professionals are facing continuously accumulate. Balancing high-quality clinical care with the business’ increasingly complex expectations is a tricky task at the best of times, notwithstanding when other issues arise.
With such a vast number of elements constantly in consideration, one aspect of particular and growing importance is the ability to ensure the tracking of practice data. Whilst some practices adequately collect and monitor these figures, the best ones surpass this by utilising such statistics to make informed decisions that improve practice workflows and outcomes.
Why data matters in dentistry
Running a dental practice requires an astute conjunction between clinical proficiency and entrepreneurial skill. Hence, success within this role requires the maintenance of patient satisfaction, financial organisation, the consistent adherence to regulations, and ensuring staff fulfilment through broader measures. At the very core of coordinating each of these practice elements is the fact-based findings – statistics.
The accurate and judicious analysis of data ensures consistently strong understandings of practice performance and finances, whilst enabling the monitoring and evaluation of further fundamental insights. Not only does this help to comprehend practice performance, but assists in identifying where improvements must be made. Without quantitative evidence, practice managers and owners must navigate decisions and improvements speculatively – which can directly impact practice advancement.
Regardless of short- and long-term goals, there are certain common statistical elements that many practices will find useful to consider.
Chair time and efficiency
The analysis of chair time means far more than understanding patient experience, and results in much more than patient satisfaction. The data – including patient turnaround and appointment length per specific procedure – can allow practices to gain a greater scope on productivity by identifying inefficiencies. The optimisation of such means increased patient satisfaction and more streamlined workflows.
Tracking patient flow
Firstly, tracking patient encounters is integral – practices need a reliable data source to quantify the number of patients being seen within particular time frames, how often patients are being seen, and the context of visits. Truly understanding this information assists in recognising demand patterns, optimising appointments and schedules, and subsequently evaluating whether the demand and capacity are accordant.
Finances
Financial management reinforces the maintenance of every practice. In order to gain clarity on profit, revenue, outgoings, and more, all must be continuously tracked. By accessing clear financial figures, practices can assess the importance and necessity of respective expenses, making amendments to such and exploring different expenditure options. Through the meticulous assessment of a practice’s figures, the future of the it is more secure, with supported investment decisions, tax-compliance, budget navigation, and more.
NHS care
Many practices deliver NHS services. Hence, activity must be consistently monitored to ensure that contractual expectations are adhered to. Inadequacy could lead to claw back, whilst excess in treatment means that clinicians are working underfunded. When supported with accurate data, the practice can plan better and protect finances and precious time.
Specific treatments
For practices that have specific treatment areas which they might plan to develop further – such as implantology, cosmetic dentistry, or endodontics – marketing analytics should be scrutinised. Tracking such data allows practices to cognise the success of marketing campaigns, understand customer behaviours, improve future strategies, and establish the return on investment. All of this can assist in achieving a competitive edge in each respective field. These analytics can be utilised in specific departments or for the practice overall.
The risks of poor data supervision
When practices rely on their own organisation systems, there are inevitably greater potential data security risks, primarily due to human error. Furthermore, the ill-keeping and utilisation of one’s figures means restricted practice growth, unidentified inefficiencies and issues, and subsequently reduced patient satisfaction – all due to the lack of informed evaluation.
Digitalising your workflow with cloud-based platforms can alleviate lots of the stresses and risks associated with data management. Sensei Cloud from Sensei, the practice and patient management brand of Carestream Dental, transforms practice’s management of business stats, offering security, consistency, and ultimate peace-of-mind. Designed by dental professionals for dental teams, the system allows practices to take control of their performance.
From managing contracts to simplified reporting systems, tracking revenue streams to maximising practice efficiency, the Sensei Cloud offers multiple advancements through the monitoring of data. The platform collates actionable information – a centralised solution for confidence and progression within your business.
Future-proofing your practice with data management
Successful practices require a compound of both clinical excellence and great business results. Remaining informed on fundamental figures – such as patients’ statistics, treatment types figures, finances, and more – is essential for such. Not only does having direct and easy access to this data reduce workload, but is also vital for making informed decisions and advancing the future of your practice.
The advantages of using digital cloud-based systems ultimately surpass all other methods of analysis. Rather than setting assumption-based goals, real-time performance data means actual results and substantial improvements.
For more information on Sensei Cloud visit https://gosensei.co.uk/
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Author: Claire McCarthy – Senior Director of Program & Process Excellence
