Opening a new dental office is only the beginning. As your practice grows, new challenges naturally follow.
That was exactly the situation Dr. Teubner's team faced.
After completing their initial implementation training with Design Ergonomics, the practice experienced tremendous growth.
"We've hired two new assistants and three new hygienists since we last did training... Basically doubled our clinical staff."
While growth was exciting, it also introduced a new challenge: maintaining consistency across an expanding team.
Rapid growth can challenge even the most organized practices. As new assistants and hygienists joined the team, maintaining standardized workflows across every operatory became increasingly important.
Without consistent systems, small differences in setup, instrumentation, and patient flow can quickly become larger inefficiencies that affect productivity, communication, and the patient experience.
Rather than letting different habits develop, Design Ergonomics returned for a Continuous Improvement Training visit to reinforce those standards and ensure that every team member was working together as one cohesive system.
The training day began with live observation during normal patient care. Rather than relying on classroom instruction alone, Design Ergonomics evaluated the team's real-world workflows, identifying opportunities to improve:
- Operatory setup
- Ergonomics
- Instrument and supply organization
- Workflows
As opportunities appeared throughout the day, our trainers provided immediate coaching and practical improvements.
"The team's open to feedback," one of our trainers noted. "We've made some on-the-spot improvements, and we still have a lot more work to do, but once the opportunities arise, we'll fix everything we can."
One focus was preparing the practice for future growth.
As the office expands to 14 operatories, standardization becomes even more important. The team worked together to organize supplies, improve workstation positioning, and standardize every operatory so providers and assistants can move seamlessly from room to room without losing efficiency.
Not only does Standardization improve productivity, it also makes onboarding new employees faster and helps ensure every patient receives the same high-quality experience.
For Dr. Teubner, the value of the visit wasn't just fixing small inefficiencies; it was reinforcing the systems that made the practice successful in the first place.
"Every step of the way, Design Ergonomics has been there for us. From the floor plan to the actual equipment itself to now actually putting it into practice."
Continuous Improvement Training helps keep it that way as your team grows, new employees are hired, and your office continues to evolve.
The highest-performing dental practices don't wait for inefficiencies to become expensive problems. They continually refine their systems, reinforce best practices, and invest in their teams.
Don't Let Small Inefficiencies Become Big Problems
If your practice has grown, added new team members, or you're noticing small workflow issues creeping into your day, we're here to help.
Schedule a meeting with a Design Ergonomics Practice Advisor to discuss how training can help your team improve consistency, increase productivity, and make dentistry easier every day.
Not Ready for Clinical Training? Start Here.
You don't have to wait until you're building a new office to improve productivity.
Our Practice Productivity Review evaluates your current practice to uncover workflow bottlenecks, inefficient use of space, and opportunities to increase production, whether you're planning a renovation, an expansion, or simply want your existing office to perform better.
