Future-Proofing Your Orthodontic Practice in 2026 by Michelle Shimmin

by Michelle Shimmin

• Improved team efficiency: Streamline administrative workflows and reduce redundancies that waste valuable chair time.
• Enhanced patient engagement: Tools like online scheduling, text review requests, and patient portals decrease no-show rates and increase satisfaction.
• Better data-driven decisions: Advanced reporting and dashboards provide real-time insights into production, case acceptance, and overall health and performance of the business.

• Enhance consult presentations: Use visuals, before-and-after imagery, and animations to simplify explanations and build confidence in your recommendations.
• Streamline financial discussions: Tools like payment sliders and flexible financing options make treatment decisions less intimidating; patients can have more interaction in this process.
• Automate follow-ups: Implement email and text reminders to re-engage hesitant patients and ensure consistent touch points, with your treatment coordinator’s ability to influence the patient’s decisions.

• Use real-time dashboards: Monitor key performance indicators such as production, starts, collections, and cancellations in one place to make quicker, smarter decisions. Ensure your team understands these reports.
• Refine scheduling templates: Adjust time blocks based on appointment type, provider needs, and patient flow patterns to increase chair utilization.
• Improve team communication: Implement task management systems or color-coded workflows to ensure the entire team knows priorities and next steps.

• Optimize your Google Business Profile: More than 70% of new patients begin their search for an orthodontist online. Keeping your profile updated with photos, FAQs, and patient reviews helps you rank higher and convert more leads.
• Leverage social media for storytelling: Short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok are powerful for showcasing smile transformations and highlighting your team’s personality and practice culture.
• Automate review requests: Sending personalized review invitations after key milestones, like debonding appointments, builds social proof organically.
• Create engaging video content: Educational clips explaining braces, aligners, or retainer care establish your authority and strengthen patient trust.

• Case acceptance vs. starts: Analyze where prospective patients drop off to improve conversion strategies.
• Accounts receivable (AR) and collection rates: Automated billing and insurance workflows reduce AR days and improve cash flow.
• Chair utilization: Measure how effectively each appointment block is being used to maximize capacity.
• Marketing return on investment: Evaluate cost per lead and cost per start to ensure your investments are driving growth.

• Role-specific training: Equip treatment coordinators, office managers, and clinical staff with targeted skills training that enhances performance in their lanes. Don’t just “fill seats” of need within your practice. Ensure you have the right people in the right role to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
• Clear accountability metrics: Transparent reporting empowers staff to see their direct impact on production, collections, and patient outcomes.
• Celebrate wins: Recognize team achievements regularly, whether that’s meeting monthly production goals, earning five-star reviews, or hitting start targets.
• Invest in ongoing education: Encourage your team to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay current on industry innovations.

• Simplify processes for your team.
• Reduce friction for patients.
• Align marketing, operations, and financial management under a unified strategy.

Michelle Shimmin is a founding partner of Shimmin Consulting. She is an esteemed international speaker, trainer, and consultant in orthodontics, with more than 30 years of experience. Since 1990, Shimmin has held various roles, from registered dental assistant to expert educator, specializing in orthodontic assisting, treatment coordination, marketing, financials, and practice management. Passionate about empowering dental professionals, she helps practices both nationally and internationally streamline systems to boost efficiency, foster growth, and achieve sustainable success. Known for her dynamic approach to training, Shimmin is a highly sought-after expert, delivering engaging lectures and workshops at events worldwide.