Tracking the Data
For the practice to benefit from statistical analysis, it is imperative the dentist and the staff are involved in the tracking of the statistics. Weekly and monthly data are collected and recorded by the dentist and staff. The financial administrator is responsible for monthly production and collections. Hygienists track new and recall patients. The scheduling coordinator monitors broken appointments and cancellations. The dentist is responsible for overhead. The information gathered by these individuals is shared with the whole team at monthly meetings
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The statistical data collected is recorded on a graph as shown in Figure 2. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, data expressed in a linear graph is easier to visualize and, thus, more comprehensible than looking at a bunch of numbers and enables the team to track trends and make the necessary adjustments. Every statistic that is tracked has its own graph except for collection and overhead, which are recorded on the same graph. The graph produced provides greater visualization of the profit and loss for the practice.
The horizontal axis of the graph represents "time;" each division representing days, weeks, or months. The vertical axis represents the value of the measured statistic; each division representing the measured statistic. The highest and lowest division should be approximately twice the average values of the collected data. For example, when charting monthly production in a practice producing $50,000 per month, the divisions on the vertical axis range from zero to one hundred thousand. In a graph measuring the number of new patients per month in a practice with 30 new patients a month, the divisions run from zero to 60. Over time, as the statistic approaches either end of the scale, the divisions are adjusted.
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| Page 4 of 14 | |
| Citation Number: Vol. 3, No. 1, Page 058 |
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