An increased demand for services and changes in patient demographics have resulted in appointment slots filling up for one New Mexico dental practice.
Michael Davis, DMD, owner of Smiles of Santa Fe, recently spoke with Becker's about his practice's appointment schedule.
Editor's note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: Is your dental practice experiencing patient cancellations, no-shows or a lack of appointments being scheduled?
Dr. Michael Davis: A few months ago, we were scheduled approximately one and one-half months in advance. Subsequently, our office discontinued all PPO insurance participation except for one company.
As a result, today we are unexpectedly scheduled almost two months in advance. Some patients left. However, even more involved cases came in.
My dental practice is in the enviable position today of welcoming patients who reschedule appointments. New patients want in. Current patients want dental care delivered ... yesterday. In this late stage of my career, I have never been busier and in more demand.
No-show appointments generally result in a rescheduling a few months into the future, at a low demand time. If it happens twice, they are dismissed. Naturally, there are rational exceptions like a death in the family or illness.
As demographics in California, New York, Illinois, etc., witness an exodus in population, especially retired persons and high-tech remote employees, my practice has benefited.