Creating an Atmosphere of Appreciation in a Dental Office
In the fast-paced environment of a dental office, where schedules are tight and precision is paramount, it’s easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools for cultivating a thriving team: appreciation. Sometimes, schedules go crazy at a moment’s notice, and everything must shift.
It’s in those times that appreciation can matter the most. Creating a workplace culture grounded in gratitude doesn’t just boost morale; it enhances patient care, reduces turnover, and fosters a collaborative, supportive environment where everyone can do their best work.
Whether you’re a practice owner, office manager, or team member, here are strategies to intentionally foster appreciation in your dental office.
1. Start with Sincere Acknowledgment
Appreciation starts with recognition. A simple “thank you” or “great job with that patient today” can go a long way.
At our office, our doctor is very aware of appreciating his employees, and that has led to many long-term employees, some over 20 years! In my office manager role, I like to recognize our employees with a thank you, but also with personalized notes, a gift box for them to choose from, and gifts for special recognition days, i.e., National Hygienist Week or Dental Assistant Week.
I keep a pack of appreciation cards in the office. Our team loves it when I write handwritten notes and put them in their locker! It’s a great surprise after a long workday.
I have also made a “gift” box with small things like lotions, headbands, socks, hand sanitizer, and anything else you can think of for them to choose from. This is where they get to choose a little something for themselves as a reward for going above and beyond.
2. Celebrate the Small Wins
In dentistry, not every day includes dramatic transformations, but every day has wins—whether it’s an on-time schedule, a well-executed procedure, or a patient who leaves with a smile. We read our online reviews, and when someone leaves a review for a specific person in the office, we make sure they know about it. Sometimes, that is all it takes to make their day!
3. Create Traditions of Gratitude
Make appreciation part of your culture with recurring events or rituals:
- Quarterly: “Team Appreciation Days” with catered lunches or fun outings.
- Girls Weekends: At our office, we do girls’ weekends every year, which are provided by the doctor, and we all have a great time outside of the office. Most of the time, we stay in Oklahoma, but we have done everything from a shopping outing for the day to a pool day to an overnight stay at a casino. We always have a great time together.
- We also do an “inside” car detail on each team member’s work anniversary: This service is completed right in our parking lot. We feel like anniversaries are a big deal to celebrate, and they lead to long-term employees feeling valued.
These rituals help people feel seen and valued, not just for what they do, but for who they are.
4. Give Feedback That Builds Up
Appreciation doesn’t mean avoiding constructive feedback. It means delivering it in a way that uplifts rather than discourages.
Use the “positive sandwich” method: start with what’s going well, address the issue with empathy, and close with encouragement. If I must have a conversation with someone, I like to start by saying: “How can I help?”
Apologies also go a long way. If you’ve made a mistake or said the wrong thing, it’s always best to recognize that and apologize, being open and honest.
Recently, I handled a situation in a way that I felt was inappropriate, and I immediately knew I needed to apologize. I started with the “positive sandwich” and let her know that was not how I usually handled things. I began by saying that she was doing a great job (she was pretty new at the time). I then sprinkled in that we should keep our personal conversations to a minimum and complete our work before engaging in a lengthy discussion. Then, I asked her how I could help her with the workload that she had been assigned. We worked through it, and she is doing much better now. It worked out well, and the issue was resolved.
5. Lead by Example
Appreciation starts at the top. When doctors, practice owners, and managers model gratitude consistently, it sets the tone for the entire office. Appreciation trickles down—and outward to patients, too. Our doctors never leave the building without asking us if we need anything and regularly thank us for the hard work we do daily.
I like to do what I call “temperature check” with team members. I just pull them aside and ask how things are going. I also did something like this for a staff meeting last year. I had questions for each department and gathered them to create a basis for our meeting. It went very well, and we discussed things that needed discussion. Everyone participated in the meeting, and we made strides on issues that needed to be addressed.
Patients can feel when a team respects and enjoys working with one another. That positive energy is contagious and builds trust.
6. Empower Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Create a space where team members can appreciate each other without waiting for leadership. Encourage spontaneous shout-outs and consider apps or tools where staff can send digital high-fives or kudos throughout the day.
I have made a communication box for the break room, where the employees can write a little recognition note to their peers. I then take these little notes and write a personal note to them to let them know that their extra efforts do not go unnoticed. I included notes from their peers on the card so they could see what kind of appreciation they received.
7. Celebrate Milestones—Personal and Professional
Whether it’s a work anniversary, a birthday, or someone finishing their first year in dental assisting school, these moments matter. They show that people are more than just their role—they’re valued as whole individuals.
- Anniversaries: We celebrate anniversaries in a big way because staying at one job over a long period of time is a big deal! We do car details on or around their anniversary date, but you could do anything. Gift cards for massages or a night out are great ideas.
- Birthdays: we have a board in the breakroom for celebrations that include anniversaries and birthdays. We buy lunch for our employees on or around their birthday, but you could also have a stock of gift cards to give for each celebration.
Make Appreciation Your Practice’s Culture
An atmosphere of appreciation isn’t built overnight—but with consistent effort, it becomes part of the DNA of your dental practice. It leads to better communication, increased job satisfaction, and, ultimately, a better experience for your patients.
So, take the time, even just a minute a day, to recognize the good around you. Appreciation is contagious—and it just might be the best thing you can inject into your practice without a needle.
About the Author
Stephanie Clason, MAADOM
Stephanie has worked for Stillwater Dental Associates for over 10 years.
Stillwater Dental Associates was my introduction to dentistry, and I love it! I enjoy my job and the people I work with; we all make a great team!
I am a wife of 36 years, a mother of 3 adult children, and I am anxiously awaiting grandbabies.
