Hiring and retaining hygienists has been a major challenge for dental practices in recent years. With rising salaries, hygiene shortages, and insurance reimbursements not keeping up with inflation, many practices are looking for ways to maintain profitability while providing high-quality patient care. This is where assisted hygiene and shorter appointment times come into play. But are these solutions the right fit for your practice? Let’s dive in.

What Is Assisted Hygiene?

Assisted hygiene is a scheduling model where a hygienist works with a dedicated dental assistant to increase efficiency and see more patients. Instead of handling every step of the appointment themselves, the hygienist focuses on perio charting, ultrasonic scaling, and patient education, while the assistant supports with x-rays, polishing, and operatory turnover.

Benefits of Assisted Hygiene:

Increases production – More appointments per day mean higher revenue.
Reduces stress on hygienists – A well-trained assistant can lighten the workload.
Enhances patient flow – Shorter waiting times and streamlined visits.
Provides flexibility – Practices with hygiene shortages can still meet patient demand.

Challenges of Assisted Hygiene:

Requires a highly trained assistant – A weak link in the workflow can disrupt the entire system.
Changes patient experience – Some patients may miss the one-on-one time with their hygienist.
Doctor involvement must be precise – Delayed exams can throw off the entire schedule.

How to Implement Assisted Hygiene Successfully

If you’re considering assisted hygiene, follow these best practices:

Hire the right assistant – This person should be skilled in taking x-rays, polishing, and providing excellent patient care.
Train your team – Ensure that both hygienists and assistants understand their roles.
Optimize doctor exams – Doctors must prioritize hygiene exams and complete them efficiently to keep the schedule on track.
Limit the types of appointments – No new patients, SRPs, or perio maintenance in assisted hygiene columns.
Consider incentive-based pay – A small bump in pay for assisted hygiene days can encourage participation and fairness.

Shorter Hygiene Appointments: Does It Work?

Many offices are considering shifting from traditional 60-minute hygiene appointments to 50 or even 45 minutes. The idea is to increase the number of daily patients while maintaining high-quality care. However, this strategy has its pros and cons.

Benefits of Shorter Hygiene Appointments:

Higher patient volume – More appointments mean increased production.
Improved efficiency – Encourages streamlined workflows and faster turnovers.
Better fit for some demographics – Busy professionals may prefer shorter visits.

Challenges of Shorter Hygiene Appointments:

Not ideal for all patients – Older adults and perio patients may need longer care.
Requires highly efficient systems – Delays in x-rays or exams can throw off the entire schedule.
Risk of rushed patient experience – Patients should still feel valued and well cared for.

Making Shorter Appointments Work for Your Practice

If you’re considering reducing appointment lengths, here’s how to make the transition smoother:

Start with small adjustments – Try moving from 60 minutes to 50 before considering 45.
Ensure strong patient education – Preventative care and clear communication reduce complications.
Use technology – Digital scanners, intraoral cameras, and ultrasonic scalers can speed up procedures.
Optimize your exam process – Doctors should be ready to conduct exams at ideal times to avoid bottlenecks.

Volume vs. Value: Which Model Is Right for You?

The decision between assisted hygiene, shorter appointments, or keeping your current model depends on your practice’s goals and patient demographics.

If your priority is high patient volume and maximizing chair time, assisted hygiene or shorter appointments may be a great fit.
If your practice focuses on comprehensive care, patient experience, and case acceptance, maintaining 60-minute appointments but optimizing for additional services may be the better option.

Alternative Strategy: Maximizing the Hygiene Appointment

Instead of cutting time or adding volume, another approach is maximizing the value of each hygiene appointment. This includes:

Offering adjunct services like fluoride treatments, sealants, laser therapy, and oral cancer screenings.
Integrating scans for ortho, implants, and sleep apnea to boost treatment acceptance.
Ensuring strong perio programs that increase case acceptance and comprehensive care.

Making the Best Decision for Your Practice

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is carefully analyzing your numbers, patient demographics, and team efficiency before making a decision. If you’re considering assisted hygiene, shorter appointments, or optimizing your hygiene department, start with a trial period and measure the results.

Need help deciding the best strategy? The Dental A Team is here to help! Whether it’s implementing assisted hygiene, restructuring schedules, or optimizing patient flow, our consultants can help you create a hygiene model that aligns with your practice’s goals.

For more help and training, reach out! We’re here for it and we love nothing more than to make sure YOUR business is truly thriving! Schedule a call.

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Assisted Hygiene and Shorter Appointments in your Practice