Morning huddles are a must-have in every successful orthodontic practice. In 10-15 minutes, you can ensure the entire team is aligned, motivated, and ready to deliver the best patient care possible.
The Biggest Benefits of Morning Huddles
One of the greatest advantages of morning huddles is team unity. Instead of different departments working in isolation, the entire team starts and ends the day together, reinforcing a sense of collaboration and shared purpose.
Huddles also help optimize efficiency. If the team ran behind schedule the previous day, they can quickly discuss what went wrong and adjust. If the schedule is light, the team can proactively tackle administrative tasks or projects that often get pushed aside.
“Huddles help us feel like we’re all part of a team,” says Dr. Justin Hughes from Hughes Orthodontics. “We start the day together and finish the day together. It’s not just people trickling in and out—we’re aligned and ready to go.”
What Does a Typical Morning Huddle Look Like?
A morning huddle is a short, structured meeting designed to bring the team together and prepare for the day ahead. While every practice may approach huddles differently, here are some common topics that teams often cover:
- Daily schedule overview – Reviewing the day's appointments, noting special cases, patient birthdays, or any adjustments that may impact the flow of the day.
- Treatment and practice goals – Checking in on progress toward monthly or weekly treatment starts, production goals, or any key performance metrics.
- Marketing and patient engagement – Discussing recent Google reviews, patient referrals, or social media efforts to encourage team participation in practice growth.
- Clinical updates – Highlighting patients finishing treatment that day, ensuring the team is prepared to discuss post-treatment care such as retainers or follow-up visits.
- Addressing challenges – If the team ran behind schedule the previous day or encountered any workflow issues, the huddle provides a space to discuss and adjust for improvement.
- Team motivation and recognition – Some practices incorporate a positive moment, like a motivational quote, team shout-outs, or a fun fact to start the day on an upbeat note.
These meetings typically last about 10 to 15 minutes, allowing teams to stay aligned and proactive without disrupting the schedule. Some practices also hold a brief end-of-day recap to reflect on what went well and address any outstanding tasks before the next day.
Real Impact: How Huddles Improve Patient Care
One of the biggest advantages of morning huddles is the ability to make real-time course corrections. Instead of waiting for a monthly meeting to address challenges, teams can identify and resolve issues on a daily basis.
For example, if the team ran behind schedule the previous day, the huddle provides an opportunity to discuss what happened and adjust accordingly. If a patient has a unique case or requires special attention, the team can be informed in advance, ensuring a smoother workflow and a more personalized patient experience.
Rather than reacting to problems after they arise, morning huddles allow teams to proactively fine-tune their approach—improving efficiency, communication, and overall patient care.
Final Thoughts
Morning huddles aren’t just a routine—they’re a valuable tool for keeping teams aligned, motivated, and prepared for the day ahead. They provide a simple yet effective way to set a game plan, improve communication, and foster a positive team culture.
Orthodontic practices thrive when there is alignment, efficiency, and a shared sense of purpose—and morning huddles help make that possible. If your practice hasn’t implemented them yet, now is the perfect time to start.
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