Orthotown June 2021 - 22

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break. If a family has enough money to afford braces, they always go to Florida or the Redneck
Riviera at spring break.
But the shorter holidays, one or two days like " fall break " or " Presidents' Day, " we tell our
ucla98
Member Since: 09/28/07
Post: 11 of 35
staff that taking vacation is never allowed. Those are super-busy days for us. ■
I have three offi ces. Instead of driving to my two satellite offi ces that are located near their
12/16/2010
houses, many of my patients don't mind driving 15-20 additional miles to see me at my busiest
offi ce because this busiest offi ce opens two Saturdays a month. I think opening on Saturdays is
huge plus when you practice in busy metropolitan areas. Wish I can stay home on Saturdays.
Hopefully, in fi ve or six more years. Working on Saturdays is not that bad-no traffi c congestion
and I have Tuesdays (and two Wednesdays) off to do some errands and to pick up the kids after
school. ■
12/16/2010
etaynor
Member Since: 02/15/05
Post: 12 of 35
Thank you all for such a dichotomy of responses. I can feel both extremes in my bones. One
of the nice things about being an orthodontist is the option to make your own hours. So, neither
extreme can be wrong. But I'm burdened with several thoughts and responses that I would like
to share.
As I understand, orthodontists are generally not known for their business acumen. So, I try to
follow some basic observations. I notice that Macy's is open on extended hours during holidays.
They don't close to accommodate their employees at Christmas time and they extend their hours
when needed. For the same reason, I don't want to close my offi ces on school vacations. They are
busy, productive and profi table. As much as I don't care much about whether I work or am off
on Saturdays, I am not be opposed to accommodating my patients with that day. I do appoint
carefully, and do not schedule full banding/bondings.
But it is sure helpful for the two-parent working families as well as the distant commuters.
I also extend two days a week until 6 p.m. for the same reason, and other days start at 7 a.m.
(Not the same day.)
Regarding Saturday no-shows, it seems that the same percentage of no-shows takes place
during the week as well. And that is with an evening-before telephone call.
Finally, I must admit that I am somewhat biased in my favor. When (my partner and I) fi rst
started, we worked what we had to in order to build a successful practice. Now that we have that
practice, I've observed that my younger partners are not as keen to work with the same degree
of commitment toward building the practice. We are not a boutique practice and have practices
in blue-/white-collar working communities. I feel personally good being able to provide an
orthodontic practice that is readily available to my diverse patient base.
Thanks again for the good input. ■
12/17/2010
benzwire
Member Since: 04/25/12
Post: 22 of 35
Where I work, we've had pretty good compliance with people showing up on Saturdays. We're
open one Saturday a month and we do a lot of NP exams, starts and debonds. I would say that
people almost always show to have braces removed and NP exams are good too. More no-shows
on adjustments and starts (unfortunately). I think if I had my own practice, I'd choose to be
open one day a little later (to say 6:30 p.m.) and/or if I did Saturday, I would close the following
Monday so that my staff and I get at least a two-day weekend. ■
4/10/2016
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