Are you working too many days and still not seeing the results you want in your dental practice? You're not alone. Many dentists assume that working more days automatically leads to more success. But what if we told you that the opposite is often true?
In this post, we're diving into a simple but powerful metric that could transform how you run your practice and your life. It's a question that more than 95% of dentists can't answer: How many days was your office open last year?
This isn't just about counting days. It's about taking control of your time, your profitability, and your freedom. Let's break it down.
You might think you know your schedule: "I work Monday through Thursday, so that's four days a week." But that's not the answer we're looking for. The real question is: How many days did you actually work last year? Did you take vacations? Were there extra Fridays when you came in to prep a big case? Did you work through the holidays?
Most dentists underestimate this number and that's a problem.
When you don't track your days open, you're essentially flying blind. You're making decisions based on feelings instead of facts. And when you rely on emotions rather than data, it's easy to overwork, underproduce, and burn out.
Here's the reality: Working more days doesn't necessarily mean earning more. In fact, the most successful dentists we coach often work fewer days than the industry average and they're more profitable.
The American Dental Association (ADA) found that the average dentist works 220 clinical days a year (an average of 4.23 per week) which is up from 209 just a few years ago. But that's not sustainable. If you're grinding through 220 days, chances are you're physically and emotionally drained.
Think of dentistry like professional sports. Athletes don't perform at their best without recovery and neither can you. Recovery isn't a reward. It's a requirement.
Tracking your office days open isn't just about avoiding burnout. It also gives your valuable insights into three key areas:
So, what do you do if you realize you're working too much? Don't panic. This is your chance to start making intentional changes.
Here's the plan:
One of the biggest obstacles we see is self-limiting beliefs. You might think, "If I cut my hours, my patients won't come." But that's just not true. Patients will adapt to your schedule if you set clear boundaries and communicate your value.
It's all about shifting your mindset. You don't need to fit into your patients' schedules, they need to fit into yours. Once you take control of your time, you'll be amazed at how everything else starts to fall into place.
At the end of the day, you only get so much time on this planet. If you have kids, you only get 16 summers with them. Make sure you're using your time wisely.
Your practice should serve you, not the other way around. By tracking your office days open, setting clear goals, and focusing on efficiency, you can create a practice - and a life - that you love.