WE RESERVE the RIGHT to GET
BETTER Improvement is the heart of our mission and source of action for our values. Improvement typically requires change in three different areas: technology, process & people. Technology is frequently a driver of change because of ongoing technological advancements. Process improvements lead to higher quality & better efficiency. However, the most critical parts of any improvement effort are the people – YOU!
The action at the core of all improvement is change.
important to change how we structured
assure we’re all headed in the same
our schedules? Some of the reasons
direction as a team. If you struggle with
included: to reach more families in need
change, engage with a teammate that
of quality dental healthcare (Vital Few
seems to be onboard with the change.
#2), operational efficiency within the flow of the practice, scheduling consistency that result in more dependable daily
Doing something differently
workflows, and more productive
than we currently do. Using a
schedules for our clinicians. Smart
new technology, improving a process – these changes test our attitudes and drive judgement. Does the change seem positive
Scheduling required technology changes within the scheduling templates, a process change with how patients were scheduled, and (most importantly) people to drive this operational best practice.
Working in Information Technology, our team has chosen a life of continual change. Many of our improvement efforts can be vast & impactful: converting many DCA practices to the Denticon practice management system, implementing more reliable & secure solutions in our new affiliations, upgrading IT equipment, and advancing our enterprise management reporting capabilities. We have also driven
or negative? Is this change
When we reflect on WHY smart scheduling
recent improvements that are more
easy or difficult? Does this feel
was important, it’s easy to correlate those
subtle: implementing a new help desk
reasons back to our organizational values.
ticketing system, deploying more wireless
exciting or demoralizing? Is this
Unleash Potential, Serve First, Move
hotspots (Cradlepoint devices) for internet
change vital to our success or
Forward, Improve Lives, Lead Together,
backup, & enhancing cybersecurity
seem unnecessary? As each of
Expect Excellence. Many of these
solutions are a few examples.
these questions are considered, there is a core underlying idea that must be addressed – the WHY. Why are we doing this?
In order to serve our role in driving improvement, it’s critical to start with understanding why we are changing at all. Smart Scheduling is an example of a recent improvement effort. Why was it
values are embedded within the Smart Scheduling example.
DCA is committed to continous improvement, and YOU are the most
After we’ve established a clear mindset
vital part of that commitment. Thank
around WHY change is required to
you for all you’ve done to assist with our
improve, it’s just as vital to serve as a
improvements to date, and thanks for
supportive teammate to others on the
being a pillar of strength for those that
team. People can struggle with change.
struggle with change. The values we share
They rely on a strong support network to
are a product of our collective mission
help them with perspective, feelings and
to improve the practice of dentistry. We
responses to change. Your relationship
reserve the right to get better – every day!
and support are a vital part of helping
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