EFFICIENT SCHEDULING

Dental receptionists play a crucial role in the efficiency, productivity, and overall culture of the dental practice. Appointment scheduling is often mistaken as a simple concept on the surface when in reality, is very complex and difficult to do well. Provider burnout and frustrations often stem from poor scheduling.

Thomas College's continuing education course on efficient scheduling provides insight into the complexities of appointment scheduling and strategies to maximize efficiency, productivity, and ensure all team members finish the day feeling great! This course is primarily for dental office receptionists and practice managers looking to improve their appointment scheduling skills and earn continuing education credits.

Invest in proper dental appointment scheduling training and see how it translates into productive and smooth clinic days!

Course Overview

Developed by Dr. Blake Mitchell and Austin Leis, this program follows scheduling principles that have allowed clinics to maintain a patient to reception ratio of over 4,000:1. The course provides a referesher on basic scheduling principles and goes into detail on strategies to maximize clinical efficiency. Participants will complete the efficient scheduling course with increased knowledge of the systems and strategies to maximize daily production, reduce provider burnout, and realize their repetitive tasks can be simpler and more effective. Dental appointment scheduling is a crucial task in the daily operations of a dental clinic and the individuals responsible for it need the skills to perform their job to the best of their abilities.

Dr. Blake Mitchell is the founder and principal dentist of Simpli Dental, a network of locally-owned dental clinics that utilizes a common administrative system that allows them to serve more patients with less receptionists.

Austin Leis has experience as the administrative manager of Simpli Dental and also as a logistical coordinator for a large global public company. His experience in multi-system coordination and administrative management has allowed him to effectively design best practice for dental administrative teams.

Length & Start Date

Credit hours: 2
The dental Efficient Scheduling continuing education course is asynchronous, meaning it can be completed at the student's pace. The program is delivered online.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition: $250
Computer and Internet: Required, at the expense of the student
Textbooks and learning resources: Included

Admissions Requirements

The Efficient Scheduling course has an English language requirement. If English is not the applicant's first language, there are many learning and testing programs available online and in person.

This is a continuing education course and will benefit those individuals that have experience in dental reception, administration, or practice management.

Courses Components

Back to the basics

Why efficient dental appointment scheduling is so important?

Batching

Are you spending more time on individual tasks then needed?

Appointment cancellations

How to recover from a seriously messed up day!

Over and underscheduling

Not too much, not too little. Why just the right amount will keep everyone in the clinic happy!

Repetitive systems

Lets make your life easier. Strategies to complete the next 100 tasks by performing only 1.

Scheduling errors

Common scheduling mistakes and how to avoid them.

Scheduling efficiency

Time is money!?!? How to arrange appointments to maximize clinical efficiency.

Mind the gap

How to fill schedule gaps in as few steps as possible.

Controlling the schdule

Strategies to prevent patients from hijacking your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of course is this?

This is a continuing education course for dental professionals and office staff.

How many hours a day do I need to attend class?

The course is 2 credit hours and typically takes students only 2 hours to complete.

Do I have to travel to a facility or attend classes in person?

No, the program is 100% online.

Do I get a certificate of completion?

Yes, if you need a certificate of completion for continuing education credits, we will provide you one.

Is this course accredited with the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada?

No, this is a continuing education program and there is not an option to have an accredited course of this nature with Canadian or US dental school accrediting bodies. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada only accredits dental, dental specialty, dental residency, dental hygiene, and dental assisting education programs.

Is this course regulated by provincial vocational school laws or regulations?

No, this is a continuing education course and not a vocational program and is therefore not eligible to be registered with any provincial government vocational school ministry.

Are there any tests or quizzes?

Yes, there is a quiz at the end of the course.

Am I required to complete any additional training prior to starting the dental Efficient Scheduling course?

No, you are not required to complete any additional training prior to beginning the course. However, this course is most beneficial for those that are either in, or intend to be in, a dental reception or practice management role.