Dear Laura Show - Ep 5 - How to offer an appointment | Effective scheduling for Doctor and Hygienist

In this podcast episode of the "Dear Laura Show", Laura addresses a common question about accommodating patient appointment preferences while maintaining a productive schedule.

Laura advises that it's important to have a schedule policy in place with back-to-back
appointments, and to train team members on how to follow it. 

She notes that while it's tempting to accommodate patients' preferred appointment times, it can disrupt the schedule and ultimately decrease productivity. Instead, she suggests asking patients if there is a day or time of day that works best for them and then offering two appointment options within that timeframe that also work for the schedule. 

Laura emphasizes the importance of proper phrasing when offering appointments and not asking if the patient wants to schedule, but rather when they would like to schedule. Lastly, she reminds us that the practice is in control of the schedule and that team members should work to offer appointments that align with the scheduling policy.