5 Tips to KonMari Your Dental Practice
Now that you’ve rid the house, car, apartment, or storage unit of detritus, it’s time to look around the dental office and ask, “Does this spark joy?”
The Netflix hit “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” has persuaded people to get rid of any excess clutter. Now that you’ve rid the house, car, apartment, or storage unit of detritus, it’s time to look around the dental office and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Here are 5 tips to KonMari your dental practice.
1. ERGONOMICS
Because the KonMari Method encourages tidying up by category, let’s start with equipment for musculoskeletal health. If your posture is suffering due to ill-fitting loupes or your wrists, fingers, or arms are in pain due to inappropriate equipment, then it’s time to integrate ergonomic interventions to help spark joy again. If your current loupes are outdated, worn improperly, or the lighting is poor, then it’s time to get a new pair of loupes. To avoid further musculoskeletal disorders, toss out those heavy and wide instruments for lighter, cordless or small-diameter instruments.
2. PATIENTS
Not every patient is a pleasure to work with, but some are so unpleasant that they cause feelings of dread, or worse, anxiety. Because you can’t banish a patient from your schedule, consider treating a co-worker to lunch or bringing him or her coffee to see if she or she may consider treating the difficult patient instead. Everyone needs a break from toxic people from time to time.
3. HAND INSTRUMENTS
Constantly complaining about dull tips? This is a pretty clear indication that your favorite scalers or curets are no longer sparking joy. They are only making your work more difficult. While you’re at it, take a hard look at those ultrasonic scalers and polishers to determine whether they should stay or go.
4. TREATMENT ROOM
A clean and uncluttered operatory is ideal in any work environment. This is especially true for sterilization. When looking in the treatment room, is there a need for more storage bins? Can adding wall units or a medical supply organizer keep the countertops clear?
5. THE DENTAL OFFICE
A dental practice has to be a good fit in order for the work environment to be enjoyable. Does your manager appreciate and support you? Are you encouraged to participate in continuing education courses? If your office is no longer sparking joy, then it may be time to consider what fulfills you and whether this employer is right for you.
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