How long should a dental appointment be?

The amount of time dental practitioners spend with patients is increasingly recognized as a key indicator of care quality. Recent data reveals a seeming paradox: while nearly 90% of Australians believe their dentists dedicate sufficient time to their appointments—a higher rate than reported for medical specialists, nurses, and general practitioners—a 2025 report from NAB indicates many individuals desire longer appointment slots with healthcare providers, including dentists.

Delivering Comprehensive Care

Dental coach Susie Raso of The Dental Concierge notes that most practices establish baseline appointment durations for common procedures, such as fillings and crown placements, adjusting these times based on individual patient needs. A growing trend involves scheduling extended appointments for new patients or those with complex dental health concerns. Dr. Sam Zein, a senior dentist at Cambridge City Dental in Perth, reflects this approach, allocating 45 minutes for new patient examinations and scale and clean appointments for existing patients. He prioritizes avoiding delays for subsequent patients.

Dr. Toni Surace, managing director of Momentum Management and principal dentist at Smile N Co, advocates for a “comprehensive care model” that considers a patient’s projected dental needs over a ten-year period. This often begins with a one-hour initial examination, excluding a cleaning. This extended time allows for thorough discussion of potential treatments, aesthetic concerns, and implant options.

Did You Know? The Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘Patient Experiences’ report found that almost 90 per cent of Australians report their dental practitioners spend enough time with them.

Human and Tech Support

Technology is playing a role in optimizing appointment efficiency. Dr. Surace highlights AI-powered medical transcription tools like Heidi Health, which can reduce note-taking time. Tracking procedure durations and tailoring appointment schedules to individual dentist’s average times, rather than using a standard duration, can also improve efficiency.

Digital scanning technology allows for comprehensive pre-screening, treatment simulations, and visual demonstrations for patients, streamlining appointments and potentially increasing treatment acceptance rates. Dr. Zein notes that advancements now enable crowns to be scanned, milled, and inserted during a single visit, reducing the need for multiple appointments.

Dental hygienists and assistants can also contribute to streamlined workflows. Susie Raso emphasizes that experienced support staff develop a strong understanding of a dentist’s operational style, fostering trust, and efficiency. However, Dr. Zein cautions that established protocols can be difficult to change in practices where the dentist has traditionally performed hygiene care, as patients may resist adaptation.

Expert Insight: Balancing patient care with operational efficiency is a critical challenge for dental practices. The findings suggest that patient satisfaction isn’t solely about appointment length, but about the quality of communication and the feeling of being heard and understood during the appointment.

Focus on the Patient Experience

Drs. Zein and Surace, along with Ms. Raso, agree that the appropriate appointment length depends on the overall patient experience. Prioritizing time for building rapport, explaining procedures, and addressing patient questions can significantly improve satisfaction. Dr. Zein stresses the importance of “building trust between the practitioner and the patient” through clear communication and patient involvement in the decision-making process.

The NAB health insights report indicates that patients highly value being actively listened to by their healthcare providers, wanting to feel taken seriously and understood. Australians reported feeling increasingly heard by dentists, more so than by GPs and hospital staff, but less so than by physiotherapists and optometrists.

Susie Raso emphasizes that patients desire a dentist who communicates effectively, is trustworthy, and provides a clear explanation of treatment plans, making them feel valued and welcome. Dr. Surace believes that building strong patient relationships is paramount, suggesting that patients may prefer longer appointments for relationship-building and shorter appointments for the clinical work itself. Efficiency in clinical procedures can ultimately enhance patient satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Australian Bureau of Statistics report say about patient experiences with dentists?

The ‘Patient Experiences’ report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals almost 90 per cent of Australians report their dental practitioners spend enough time with them—more than medical specialists, nurses and GPs.

What did the 2025 NAB Health Insights Report find regarding appointment times?

NAB’s latest Health Insights Report, published in 2025, found many people want longer appointment times with healthcare professionals, including dentists.

What is Dr. Surace’s recommended approach to initial patient examinations?

Dr. Surace recommends a one-hour comprehensive examination for new patients, without a cleaning, to allow ample time for discussion of their dental health needs and concerns.

Considering the evolving expectations of patients and the potential benefits of both technological advancements and a focus on personalized care, how might dental practices best adapt to deliver a consistently positive and efficient experience?