Orthodontics has been on a targeted shift towards greater digitization over the past two decades. New digital tools offer more treatment options for patients, potential efficiency for doctors, and growth in the orthodontic market. However, these added services can increase expenses and add complexity to a practice using digital tools similar to traditional devices. The promise of digital improvements comes with a transition in methods to standardize their treatment design and planning by creating prescription systems and protocols.
Build routines in treatment design and planning
Building routines into treatment planning, Rx systems, treatment design, and treatment monitoring can offer a great opportunity to streamline customized, digital appliances. We can develop routinization through standard operating procedures and checklists. In our practice, we have standard protocols for almost every step of the orthodontic journey.
One of the areas we have focused on for the past few years is developing digital prescription systems. For example, our nine treatment plans simplify developing customized plans. In addition, they also save doctor time by delegating the aspects that can be standardized. As a result, our doctors can concentrate on the more complex treatment planning aspects while delegating the routines to software and repeatable tasks. Building routines requires a close look at your treatment decisions and finding patterns distilled into a repeatable recipe.
Automate routines through digital tools and applications
Once you build routines, you can automate them through software tools and applications that serve as digital assistants. What we have found to be helpful in automation is that delegation for all team members is simplified and more predictable. Furthermore, automation saves the team’s time and removes human error. We can computerize inefficient activities and design software routines to automate repeatable areas of practice. These repeatable areas need to be clearly defined, measured, or determined by statistical predictions.
Augment digital workflow to save time
The augmented digital workflow can be implemented when a practice improves their workflow with digital tools that enhance their work. Once routines are developed and integrated with automation systems, we can innovate our daily work with strong digital tools that save time instead of consuming it.
