Last month, we toured your office from outside signage to the reception and waiting areas. So moving right along, let's take a look at what's in, on and around your dispensing table.

First things first...size matters.

Your dispensing table needs to be a comfortable working height and depth. The best width will depend on how much stuff you need to accommodate. You may need room for a computer monitor or laptop, and definitely a good-sized mirror. Depth is an important factor that is often overlooked. I'm somewhat vertically challenged; 5'4" on a good day, so most traditional dispensing tables were too deep to reach across comfortably. I found that a sofa or console table was a better fit.

I'm a bit conflicted about dispensing mats.

On the positive side, they're great sales tools. On the negative, they may be advertising a product that is not right for the patient who's sitting there, forcing you to re-sell or un-sell a product. With the easy availability of information on the internet and an excellent quality printer, why not consider designing, printing and laminating your own dispensing mats? You could include information on almost anything, lenses, materials, coatings or warranties...the possibilities are endless.

Regardless of what kind of mat you use, replace it when the information is outdated or the mat is wearing out.

I mentioned a good-sized mirror earlier. Your mirror should be large enough so that a patient can sit comfortably and see their reflection, and not so small that it requires hunching over. It should have a magnifying side as well as a normal reflection, and it should be clean.

If you're fortunate enough to have an imaging system, such as Smart Mirror or CamMirror, then wonderful. I know, I know, a digital camera and your computer screen will do the same thing. BUT, most of us are less intimidated by something that doesn't look like a camera. For your visually challenged or fashion challenged or "just can't decide" patients, some kind of imaging system can be a godsend. It may even help you with those all important multiple sales.

It goes without saying that every table should have a cleaning station with a bottle of lens cleaner and disposable cloths. This reinforces the idea that cleaning eyewear is easy and necessary.

What's in the drawer is almost as, if not more, important than what's on the table.

Open the drawers on almost any dispensing table and you're likely to find an assortment of papers, paper clips, pens (some that even write!), pencils, a Sharpie or two, random sample lenses, the odd nose pad, and dust.

What should be in the drawer?

• A price list

• A PD ruler

• Working pens...I used to have personalized pens and gave them to every customer who needed one. I also "forgot" and left them in places like the bank or the grocery store...everyone's a potential patient

• Permanent and non-permanent markers and a grease pencil

• A reading card that doesn't look like it's been there since bifocals were invented

• Note paper

• A Pupilometer and replacement batteries

• Alcohol wipes (for the Pupilometer nose pads)

• A nice calculator and a sales tax chart if it's required

Many Opticians choose to have some hand tools at the dispensing table. I do not. I believe that adjustments and repairs should be done out of the patient's sight for a couple of reasons.

1. When you're really good at something, it looks easy. Patients who watch what you do really well are apt to try it at home and blame you for selling them an inferior product when it breaks or is somehow damaged.
   

2. If something does go wrong, most of the time you can fix it and no one is the wiser.
   

3. You can mutter whatever you please under your breath and not offend anyone.
   

4. You'll have time to wash down a couple of aspirin with a shot of antacid.

If you're lucky enough to have more than one drawer in the table, there are a few more things that I consider nice to have but not critical to have at the table.

• "Progressive Lens Identifier" from OLA

• Optical Formulas Tutorial by Ellen Stoner

• Sample lenses, including A/R coatings, tints, mirrors, multifocal styles, material samples and edge treatments

• "Take home" literature reinforcing what your patient just purchased and why it was selected, to forestall "buyers remorse." A number of companies offer these products or you can take the time to customize your own

This should take care of the table, but there is another element that is equally important: Seating.

Most of us use a backless adjustable-height stool with wheels as our primary seating. The only problem is if you spend a great deal of time on that backless stool, your back will be unhappy at the end of the day. I find that an adjustable height task chair is much more comfortable in the long run. An armless model allows you to slide it under the table and out of the way and the back will provide some support.

Patient seating is another thing to be considered. The patient's chair should be a fixed height and have both arms and wheels. Arms allow them to get in and out of the chair with ease. Wheels allow them to move the chair in or out for comfort.

Have I left anything out? Probably. I'm counting on you all to let me know what your preferences are and why. I'm interested in knowing what works for you and what doesn't.