Slow is Smooth
By DR. JOHN F. MILLER DDS - SMILE MONTANA
"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." At first glance, that might sound like nonsense. But if you sit with it for a moment, it starts to make perfect sense. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to mentor many young dentists at Smile Montana—some straight out of dental school. My message to them was always the same: no quotas, no daily production goals. Just focus on doing your best work. I encouraged them to go as slowly as needed to ensure their quality was at the highest level possible. Slow is smooth, and smooth is high quality.
I'd often say, "Slow it down and get really good. Then get faster at being really good." That's how I still approach my own work. I schedule each day with enough time to do the kind of dentistry that impresses me—and my standards keep rising.
There's a well-known Venn diagram with three circles labeled FAST, CHEAP, and GOOD. The caption says, "Pick two." If it's fast and cheap, it's not good. If it's good and cheap, you'll wait for it. And if it's fast and good, it'll cost you.
When I think about this framework and my advice to younger dentists, I realize I was guiding them toward becoming "good" first, then gradually becoming "fast" while maintaining that quality. According to the diagram, that combo should be expensive. But here's the thing: we don't charge based on speed or quality—we charge per procedure. So when a dentist becomes both good and fast, the cost per visit doesn't increase, but their earning potential does. A dentist who used to complete one excellent filling an hour can now do two. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast, and fast gets paid.
I do a lot of oral exams- about 20 a day. One of the small joys in my routine is spotting great dentistry in a patient's mouth. I'll often compliment the previous dentist. It inspires me to leave behind work that future dentists will admire. Sometimes I'll see a fantastic crown or filling and ask my hygienist, "Was that done here? Which dentist?" Occasionally, they'll say, "You did it." I have to admit, it's strange realizing I've been at this long enough to forget some of my own work. But it's also gratifying-because it means the quality held up. Slow is smooth, and smooth still looks good in the future.
Summer is around the corner, and the days are getting longer. That means more daylight and more time to slow things down. Which is good, because by now we all know the mantra. Say it with me:
Slow is smooth, baby.
Read Slow is Smooth and other Smile Montana articles by Dr. John F. Miller, DDS, in 406 Woman magazines.