Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2014 - (Page 50)

SUMMARY ANNUAL SESSION TIPS and TRICKS from the TRENCHES Presented by Dr. Anthony Mair at the 2014 PCSO Annual Session, October 3, 2014. Summarized by Jenifer Vetter. D r. Anthony Mair shared some expert tips and tricks from his practice with PCSO Annual Session attendees. Dr. Mair explained that both the big and little things he does in his office make an impact on patient care. Dr. Mair has a team of 18 women who help him treat 100 patients a day, 180 days per year. He explains that a great team will influence the way you practice, and that your staff should always come first. Dr. Mair credits his love of anthropology, the study of humankind, as being the key to harmony within his team. Humans are imperfect, and his expectations for his team and patients must reflect this awareness, so he creates efficient workspaces and schedules that build in allowances for these imperfections. Recognizing that team members will make mistakes, he does not punish them or expect perfection. This sort of attitude allows team members to push beyond their everyday performance level, and deliver extraordinary performance. Having studied the effects of design, efficiency, and ergonomics on the workplace, Dr. Mair shared his key insights. Team members need a work environment that is conducive to productivity and efficiency. Proactive design promotes these principles. For example, all items needed to perform the most common daily procedures are placed in each treatment room at Dr. Mair's practice, resulting in increased productivity and team job satisfaction. Dr. Mair recommends having carts or drawers in each room stocked with items routinely needed for patient visits. Ensure that the drawers in each room are stocked identically so that there is continuity should team members need to switch rooms. He also suggests color coding and labeling each drawer for ease of identification. Each assistant should have an assigned room and should be responsible for stocking his/her room and ensuring that it mirrors the other rooms. If there is a broken piece of equipment, he/she is responsible for the repair and tracking of that item. 50 Dr. Mair explained that in his office, "people are more precious than things." He demonstrated this by displaying a photo of one of his team members, Fay, and a Kodak 8000C. Both arrived at his practice at the same time, and both are crucial to daily patient care. The Kodak 8000C was purchased for $50,000, while Fay was hired at an entry-level salary. The Kodak 8000C has depreciated over time, while Fay's value has increased. Dr. Muir spoke very fondly of Fay, explaining that she is a key team member and Dr. Mair partly responsible for the practice's success. X-ray units can be replaced, but the human capital of a team member is much more costly and difficult to replace. One reason for Dr. Mair's success has been an increased number of conversions from screening to new patient starts through effective communication. Acknowledging non-verbal and subconscious cues, he has redesigned his consult room to be conducive to both patient and parent comfort. Citing a TIME magazine article on subconscious factors in negotiation and influences on perception, Dr. Mair has switched out the seating in his consult room to cushioned chairs. This is in response to the article's statement that hard chairs lead to hard negotiating. Smells also influence patients; with the addition of subtle yet welcoming scents, patients are apt to feel more at ease and relaxed. This can be achieved by placing a reed diffuser with a subtle scent such as vanilla, in the consult room. The ideal consult room includes key items such as a workstation, games, visual aids, and items that bring the doctor to life in the patient's eyes. A workstation with adequate room at which to work for both the doctor and treatment coordinator (TC) is an important consideration. The workstation should include a computer and printer so the TC can print out information for the patients/parents. Providing age-appropriate games for patients and their siblings eases the parent's stress and keeps kids from becoming bored. iPads or PSPs are ideal for adolescent children, while busy games for younger kids are also helpful. Hand-held visual aids illustrating PCSO BULLETIN * WINTER 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2014

A Clear Message and a Clear Plan
So Much to Share and Celebrate!
Facebook and Orthodontic Practice Marketing
Component Reports
AAOF Report
PCSO At a Glance
Poor Posture = Back and Neck Pain
Resident Spotlight: Roseman University College of Dental Medicine, Postgraduate Orthodontic Program
Younger Member Spotlight: Dr. Mahbod Rashidi
The University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Dr. Terry McDonald Interviews Dr. Glenn Sameshima
New Technology for a New Office: Cost-Effective and Space-Saving
Case Report Pre-Treatment
Dr. Frank Beglin, PCSO President 2014-2015
Helping Autistic and Special Needs Children
Organization and Innovation are Intertwined
Patient Service: Thinking Outside the Box
Clinical Applications of TADs and Outcome Evaluations with 3-D CBCT Superimposition
Root Resorption
Tips and Tricks from the Trenches
Case Report Post-Treatment
Diastema-Closing Appliance
Dr. David Thomas Lawless

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2014