How Can Investing in Your Employees Maintain the Best Team?
Dentistry is a very competitive field that is constantly changing. With the employment turnover rate at an all-time high, it may be time to consider investing in your talent.
Everyone on the team must know the practice’s goals and objectives and be given the tools to attain them. Investing in your team can keep your practice ahead of the curve. Helping your employees become more efficient and reach more personal goals ultimately boosts your practice’s productivity.
Encouraging Growth Through Continuing Education
A dental office manager can implement growth within their employees in a few ways.
Dental office managers should always look for opportunities for someone or the entire team to attend workshops or seminars related to their role. In addition, tuition assistance or scholarships are available for team members to obtain relevant degrees or certifications to increase their knowledge and job performance.
Many team members would love the opportunity of higher education but are often limited due to finances. Allowing them to use PTO to attend courses or accommodate their schedules to attend classes can encourage continuing education, which can have many positive impacts on your practice.
Maximizing Efficiency Through Cross-Training
Cross-training or teaching multiple employees how to do the same job will allow you to use your current employees to fill unmet needs or to complete a task if another team member is suddenly absent.
Cross-training a team member to do multiple tasks can save you time and money from hiring additional staff members.
Something as simple as cross-training a front office team member to help complete periodontal charting for a hygienist. This simple, trainable task can help free up the hygienist’s time to be more productive.
Everyone in the office should be comfortable answering the phone and completing simple tasks like creating an appointment. Pairing an experienced team member with a newer team member can provide guidance and mentorship while learning on the job.
There are many areas where you can train an employee to fit the direct needs of your practice.
Boosting Retention Through Growth and Appreciation
With turnover being one of the highest percentages in recent years, providing and encouraging further education can re-engage employees who may feel burnt out or underutilized. Employees who are given the chance to learn or grow are more likely to stay at your practice longer, eliminating frequent staff turnover.
Employees who feel undervalued or have no room for growth may look outside of your practice to find fulfillment. An employee will go above and beyond for your practice if they feel valued.
The dental office manager should take the time to recognize anyone in their office who goes the extra mile. This recognition can be verbal or even monetary. Expressing appreciation is often a tiny thing that can make a big difference.
Strengthening Skills, Boosting Productivity
When office employees feel they have the opportunity to grow, they perform better at work.
Cross-training helps dental offices help themselves. A good dental office manager should know how to do multiple jobs in the office, both clinical and clerical, so they can jump in at a moment’s notice and help their teammates.
Investing in your employees improves their engagement and satisfaction, which goes hand in hand with efficiency. More efficient employees lead to more productive employees, making your practice more productive, which sets the cycle in motion. It’s a win-win.
About the Author
Coreen Thompson, FAADOM
Coreen has been in dentistry for over 30 years, starting as a chairside dental assistant and working her way up to dental practice manager, with 27 of those years at the same dental practice. Thompson is highly active with her local and state dental associations, serving as a consultant on the professional development advisory committee for the Connecticut State Dental Association.
Coreen has been an AADOM member since 2020 and received her AADOM Fellowship in 2024.
She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering annually with CT Mission of Mercy, helping to provide free dental care to those in need.
