EFFECTIVE MORNING HUDDLES

START YOUR DAY THE RIGHT WAY!

Morning Huddles set the tone and level of productivity for the rest of the day. They help the team focus on how to create production opportunities and get through the day’s schedule smoothly. The doctor or leader sets the mood for the day in the first 5 minutes after they walk into the door or start the morning huddle. When team members come to the morning huddle prepared with the appropriate information to be shared and a set agenda is followed, this meeting can be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Suggested agenda:

Positive greeting: Open the meeting with an inspirational quote, encouraging words or a positive online review.
Are the daily producer (Dr. and hygienist/ recall) production goals met today? If not, where are the opportunities to “Mine the Gold?” “Mining the Gold” means finding procedures that can be done that day outside the original schedule.
- Examples include:
  - A child has come in for a recall appointment and needs a filling, sealants or a panorex.
  - An emergency patient that needs treatment.
Are the daily producer production goals met over the next three days? What openings need to be filled?
Cancellations?
How will we fill that time? Messages are checked before the morning meeting.
Emergency patients. Identify the best times for emergency patients. A front desk team member should know the best time and never have to leave their desk and go to the back to ask this question.
Financial arrangements completed?
Confirm that all financial discussions and payment plans are completed before treatment begins.
New patients: Name, chief concern, referral source.
Treatment diagnosed and not scheduled?
Review any treatment that has been diagnosed but not yet scheduled.
Family members that can be referred?
Do a lap exam on a younger sibling that has accompanied the recall patient or make an appointment for that sibling during the next recall appointment of the older child.
V.I.P. assignments: Share information about a child that is coming in that day that we want to acknowledge or be sensitive about.

Ending on a positive note with another inspirational quote of the day, joke of the day or word of the day will help to create motivation and energy for your team.

Want more information on how to make your team meetings a success? A dental management and coaching team could help you take your meetings to the next level through in-depth training, role-playing and support. Fill out the “free consultation” form to speak with an LCP team member! We look forward to working with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of a morning huddle?

A morning huddle is a short, focused team meeting held before the first patient of the day. The team reviews the schedule, production goals, open time slots, and patient needs so everyone starts the day prepared and on the same page.

Is it a morning huddle or a morning hurdle?

The correct term is morning huddle. Like a huddle in sports, it brings the team together briefly to plan before the day begins. “Morning hurdle” is a common mix-up of the phrase.

How long should a morning huddle last?

A well-run morning huddle takes 10 to 15 minutes. Coming prepared with the information to share and following the same agenda every day keeps it short and productive.

What should be on a dental morning huddle agenda?

Start with a positive greeting, then review production goals, opportunities to add same-day treatment, openings and cancellations, the best times for emergency patients, financial arrangements, new patients, and treatment diagnosed but not yet scheduled.

Who should lead the morning huddle?

The dentist, office manager, or a rotating team member can lead it. The leader sets the tone for the day, so starting with energy and positivity matters.