Cultivating Mutual Respect in Your Dental Practice

Real-World Insights from Kay Thompson, DAADOM

 

Every workplace needs to be a place where everyone feels respected. Healthcare offices are certainly no exception. We must work together to give our patients the best care and compassion possible in our offices.

If the team does not have mutual respect, it is most certainly noticed and felt by our patients. And as individuals, if we don’t feel respected, we won’t be giving our best effort to the team.

Every team member deserves respect, and as management, we need to see that this is provided for them.

Just as parents are deeply troubled by their children’s fights, doctors and office administrators should be greatly concerned when disrespect occurs within our practices. We consider ourselves a family, spending more time together than with our families. It’s painful to witness our ‘family members’ not treating each other with respect.

Not everyone will like each other, which is expected when you have multiple staff members. We can’t demand that they like each other, but we MUST insist on them respecting each other and acting professionally to one another.

Respect as a Policy

Make an office policy stating that all disagreements with co-workers must be left at the door.

Also, include if someone’s name is being spoken and they are not present. It must be a positive or neutral comment and NOT negativity.

It may seem silly, but only some were raised to show respect to others and may need help understanding the basic principle that you have to give respect to get respect. Mutual respect has to be a priority in a thriving dental practice. By making a policy, you show your team exactly how important this topic is to you and the practice.

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A Culture of Respect

The example of mutual respect must start from the top. Doctors and practice managers are the ones who set the tone and expect nothing less from the team. If someone is unsure about professional behavior, it’s our responsibility to guide them.

We need to foster a culture where everyone can connect and communicate positively. If this is not possible, it may be time for them to reconsider their place in the team.

No assistant, hygienist, front desk employee, or doctor is above these expectations. Furthermore, how a team member is treated by their co-workers should not depend on their job performance.

Every office has employees who perform at different levels and deserve common respect as human beings. Our job as team leaders and team members is to show our team how to raise one another up and not tear each other down.

 

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About the Author

 

Profile of Kay Thompson, DAADOM.

Kay Thompson, DAADOM

Kay started on her dental journey when she was a little girl and used to play “Dentist” with her dolls in her mom’s kitchen, using the utensils in the utensil drawer as her “instruments.”

After completing the Dental Assistant Program at St. Louis Community College in Kirkwood, MO, she worked in the dental field as an assistant for 20 years. Then, she became a Practice Administrator for the last 13 years.

She is excited about being an AADOM member and in 2020 she earned her Fellowship (FAADOM).  In 2023, she earned her MAADOM and her DAADOM in 2024.

Away from the practice, she loves doing mission work and is active in her church, riding motorcycles and ATVs with her husband, and spending lots of time with their 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.

 

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