Part 4: Improving Workflow
Practical Tips Series to Improve Your Efficiency in Veterinary Dentistry
by Maggie Burley, Clinic Support & Education, iM3 | 14 Nov 2024
Audit your veterinary dental workspace and improve workflow, time and efficiency!
In this Series, we have examined how to improve efficiency in veterinary dentistry by Part 1: Reviewing your instruments, Part 2: Maintaining your instruments and Part 3: Investing in your Team.
This month we’re discussing how an audit of your dental workspace can help improve workflow. Even a simple task like sorting your dental instruments into kits appropriate to the size or species of your patients will improve workflow and save time in the long run:
- time in setting up the dental tray,
- time in finding the right instrument,
- time saved in the cleaning and reprocessing of these instruments.
Tips to improve your veterinary dental workflow
So, what are some simple changes you can make to improve workflow in your practice?
1. Streamline Processes and designate tasks
Streamlining processes and the designation of tasks involves examining how your team can be best utilised and how tasks can be delegated across the team.
Speed and efficiency improve when each team member can better focus on their individual task. A simple yet effective example of improved workflow is delegating tasks across the team in the production of dental radiographs. For example:
- Delegate the monitoring of the anaesthetised patient to one nurse,
- A second nurse takes the images.
- A trained kennel hand or other assistant processes the images.
2. Fostering clear communication is vital for a seamless workflow.
Effective communication builds collaboration and minimises errors, leading to improved productivity and better patient outcomes.
3. Clear & organised schedules between procedures
Ensuring a clear and organised schedule between procedures includes allowing adequate time and resources between procedures to reset the dental workspace ready for the next patient.
We often forget that this takes time, especially if you have only one dental station and a single instrument kit.
Another option? Invest in a second dental workstation!
4. Optimise the organisation of your dental space
Optimising your dental area with a well-organised space promotes a smooth workflow. This requires you to organise your instruments and equipment logically to minimise movement during procedures.
Standardising setups for your most common dental procedures helps to save time and ensure that you have all the right tools for the job!
5. Embrace technology
Utilise the features of your Practice Management System (PMS) for templates for patient records and invoicing, along with digital charting records. Not only will this save you time in the dental operation, but also for your administration team. Not having to scan handwritten charts will also ensure your patient’s records are current and up to date at all times.
e-VDS Plus - Dental Charting System
The Revolutionary Dental Scoring System thats's just a click away!
So there you have it, simple ideas that improve workflow and save you time, reduce anaesthetic procedure length and reduce stress amongst the team.
Expand your dental equipment and improve efficiency
If you’re considering expanding your dental equipment with a second table, iM3 has the solutions, including dental tables, to help take your dentistry to the next level.
Shona Examination and Dental Table
Check out the iM3 Shona Examination and Dental Table, which doubles as a Consult/Examination AND a Veterinary Dental Table. It comes with all of the quality and reliability you expect from iM3, including the unique dental tray developed for iM3 Tara, with edge-to-edge drainage, anti-spill wave breakers and easy cleaning.
- Stainless steel
- Electro Polished frame for better anti-bacterial properties
- Motorised lifting column made from anodized aluminium
- Wired hand control for operating the lifting column
- Heavy duty, hospital grade castors with total lock brakes
- Table top: 1200x600mm
- 6x tie down hooks
- Height: 530-1100mm
- Safe workload: 150kg
- 2 year warranty
iM3 Tara Table
After listening to many years of feedback, the iM3 team have designed the ultimate dental table for your practice, including warming! The warming plates bring the surface of the table up to between 30 and 35C, and depending on the environment, it can take up to 4 hours to reach the maximum temperature.
- The Stainless Steel V Top table is driven by 4 low voltage motors and is designed to be as a silent as possible.
- Using a V-top table for dentistry makes it easier to turn the animal over and gives better positioning and comfort for your patient
- The tabletop dimensions are 160 x 60 cm (including the dental tray), and an optional 30cm extension is available, either for larger animals or as a convenient place for monitoring equipment or surgical instruments
For more information, you can always contact us at sales@im3dental.com.