"Max-packing" is doing as much for patients while they are in the office for any given visit, in order to reduce future work (in many cases, eliminating the need for extra appointments). Some strategies for max-packing include the following:

• Look for any patient who is on the schedule today and also has a future appointment. Take care of his or her future needs during today's visit and determine the appropriate time interval for scheduling the next follow-up appointment (if necessary).
• Use a checklist of preventive care to anticipate a patient's future needs, and take care of those needs today whenever possible.

Max-packing is a good option especially when the schedule is on time or ahead due to cancellations, no-shows, or unexpectedly short visits.