that if team members leave for higher pay , they will be replaced with team members demanding market rate , ultimately costing the practice considerably in lost time and money searching for new employees . If you have valued team members you wish to retain , be the one to take the step to offer them competitive compensation .
Be mindful of ways to reduce the physical strain of delivering clinical dentistry and offer resources to reduce the pressure . For example , is the office set up to be ergonomically friendly ? Are instruments and equipment maintained such that team members don ’ t have to fight to deliver care ? Are appointment times set in a manner which allows for clinicians to treat patients without rushing or compromising the quality of care ? Are PPE and other important safety pieces consistently provided ? Is a breakroom which hosts the team to have comfortable moments of rest throughout the workday available ? Even more so , is this breakroom stocked with small snacks and drinks preferred by team members ?
While providing continuing education in full for an entire dental practice team can be costly , there are many methods by which some education can be provided at a minimal cost . Seek out low- or no-cost virtual CE and bring your team together over a meal to participate in education which aligns with the practice mission , attend local , inexpensive CE courses ( which saves on hotel and travel cost ), etc . The investment of time and attention to the team ’ s development is critical and helps the dental team feel valued .
Don ’ t underestimate the value of a healthy , fulfilling workplace resulting from solid leadership and a clearly expressed and planned mission and vision . Remember , as an employer , if you want to retain and to attract a solid team , give people a reason to want to work for you . Ask yourself regularly : “ Would I want to work for me and my practice ?” If help is needed to create an environment which attracts and retains great team members , reach out to a staffing , HR agency or consultant who can help craft an office that is hard to leave .
Practice owners will be the most successful if they can see through their stressors and demonstrate patience and understanding as employees and the industry catch up to the changes imposed upon it by the pandemic . Remember , employees are still processing what the changes in the world mean for them and their loved ones , insurance companies take time to respond to the forced look at increasing reimbursement rates , vendors are awaiting manufacturing and other issues to resolve or return to normal , and on and on . Stay committed to an attitude of “ we are all in this together ,” and where needed , seek out help from accountants , lenders , consultants , and staffing and HR agencies . Together , we will rise and be stronger as professionals than ever !
Audra Morris joined her mother , Nitia Morris , at Dental Auxiliary Service , Inc . In 2011 and opened an office in Austin in 2012 . In March 2020 , the Austin team joined the Dallas office in their partnership with KAD Dental to become a part of KAD Dental Staffing . Please email your questions or comments to Audra Morris at : audra @ kaddentalstaffing . com .
Haylee N . Davis , MBA is a co-founder of KAD Dental , a division of The KAD Group . KAD Dental is a business services firm specializing in the business needs of dentists and dental practices . Haylee has nearly 20 years of experience in law , accounting , business transitions and dental practice management . Send email to : info @ kaddental . com , call ( 972 ) 294-5254 or visit www . kaddental . com , for more information . www . northtexasdentistry . com | NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY 25