How are appointment books typically divided?

Appointment books are commonly divided into 15-minute increments, which allows dental practices to efficiently schedule patient visits while accommodating various types of appointments. This time frame strikes a balance between the need for thorough patient evaluation and treatment while allowing the practice to manage multiple patients effectively throughout the day.

Fifteen-minute increments are particularly suitable for routine procedures, consultations, and patient check-ins, enabling the dental team to maintain a steady workflow. This approach also facilitates easier adjustments for cancellations or delays, as it provides a flexible yet structured scheduling system that can accommodate varying appointment lengths based on patient needs.

While other time increments, such as 30, 60, or 10-minute slots, are used in different healthcare settings or specialties, the 15-minute structure aligns best with typical dental appointment durations for many common procedures, thus optimizing the overall efficiency and productivity of the practice.