Rising costs and competition demand new approaches—here’s how to capture more value from every production opportunity.

By Jessie Gainor

In private practice, production isn’t simply about seeing more patients—it’s about making the most of every appointment, chair, and system already in place. Rising costs, staffing challenges, and heightened competition have made efficiency essential. Practices that optimize production are better positioned to maintain profitability while delivering strong outcomes.

Tip 1: Protect Your Schedule With Templates

Scheduling is the foundation of production. Practices that use template scheduling—allocating appointment types into fixed slots—prevent bottlenecks and ensure high-value visits aren’t displaced. Short observation checks can be grouped together to avoid crowding out debond or bonding appointments. Online booking, automated reminders, and confirmation systems also reduce no-shows and cancellations. Even modest improvements in schedule use can add measurable gains.

Tip 2: Delegate to Your Team

An orthodontist’s time is best spent on tasks requiring their expertise. Delegating responsibilities—such as appliance placement or removal, within regulatory limits—allows doctors to focus on case planning, treatment adjustments, and patient communication. Cross-training is equally important. When staff can step into multiple roles, a sick day or vacation doesn’t slow production. Ongoing training strengthens both efficiency and staff satisfaction.

Tip 3: Incorporate Digital Workflows

Innovations in digital orthodontics for aligner and bracket treatment are reshaping efficiency. For aligner treatment, in-office 3D printing gives practices greater control over case starts and refinements, reducing turnaround times and improving scheduling flexibility. Indirect bonding systems speed bracket placement with greater accuracy, while automated wire bending tools reduce manual adjustments. Remote monitoring has also gained momentum, letting orthodontists identify issues earlier and cut routine in-office visits—freeing slots for new starts or higher-value procedures. The real production gains come when these tools are integrated into daily workflows and supported by training. Simply adopting technology isn’t enough; processes must adapt to capture the benefits.

Tip 4: Streamline Financial Processes

Production is only as strong as the systems that turn it into revenue. Simplifying payment options and improving transparency often strengthens case acceptance. Verifying insurance early, offering clear plans, and reducing delinquency help patients commit with confidence. When families understand their financial responsibilities upfront, treatment starts are less likely to be delayed or lost.

Tip 5: Don’t Overlook Recall and Retention

Missed retainer checks, delayed Phase II starts, and overlooked growth guidance appointments all represent lost production opportunities. A structured recall system ensures patients return when they should. Automated reminders, follow-up calls, and easy online scheduling make it simpler to capture those visits. Patients who feel supported after treatment are also more likely to refer family and friends—creating a steady pipeline of new starts at minimal cost.

Tip 6: Track the Right Metrics

Without data, it’s difficult to know where production is slipping. Practices that track indicators such as production per visit, no-show rates, and case acceptance percentages are better positioned to spot inefficiencies. Many orthodontists review numbers monthly with their teams as benchmarks for improvement. The most effective practices act on this data, refining schedules, staffing, and communication based on what the numbers show.

READ MORE: Stop Wasting Your Software: How to Maximize the Tools You Already Have

Tip 7: Reduce No-Shows and Cancellations

Every empty chair represents lost production. Automated reminders, text confirmations, and same-day rescheduling options help keep the schedule full. Some practices use waitlists to immediately backfill canceled slots. Regular communication—whether via apps, email, or phone—reinforces the value of keeping appointments. The easier it is to confirm or reschedule, the less likely patients are to leave chairs empty.

Balancing Efficiency and Care

Maximizing production isn’t about rushing patients through treatment. It’s about aligning systems, staff, and technology so every appointment contributes to outcomes and revenue. Practices that consistently apply these strategies often find they can grow production without compromising care quality—or burning out their teams. In today’s competitive environment, production opportunities are everywhere. The practices that thrive are those that recognize and capture them. OP

Production Opportunity Checklist: Tools That Support Efficiency

  • Scheduling and practice management software – template scheduling, online booking, automated reminders
  • Indirect bonding systems – faster, more accurate bracket placement
  • Automated wire bending systems – reduced manual adjustments, improved precision
  • Aligner 3D printing and thermoforming solutions – in-office production for case starts and refinements
  • Remote monitoring platforms – fewer routine visits, more efficient use of chair time
  • Imaging and CBCT systems – treatment planning accuracy, streamlined diagnostics
  • Financial and payment systems – flexible financing, insurance verification, delinquency management
  • Retention and recall management tools – automated reminders for retainer checks and Phase II follow-up
  • Team training and education platforms – cross-training staff for better delegation and coverage
  • Patient communication apps/portals – reducing no-shows, improving engagement, simplifying rescheduling

Photo: ID 349380000 | Ai © Justlight | Dreamstime.com

Jessie Gainor is a contributing writer to Orthodontic Products.