As we move forward to take a fresh look at dentistry in a
“post-COVID World,” we offer you the following suggestions
regarding your team:
Be a leader who leads the way in adaptability, resilience,
peace and confidence. During the times we are
experiencing, it is easy to get swept away by emotion and
fear. Your team needs to know they can look to you to find
solid ground. If you need help finding that solid ground,
reach out to a professional for guidance – attorney, CPA,
consultant, HR or staffing agency, mental health professional,
etc.
Be understanding and compassionate. Your team is
facing as much uncertainty as you, even if their trials look
different than yours.
When and wherever you can, be generous. Many of
your team members and their families have suffered great
financial losses during this time. If your practice budgets
allow, consider offering your team return to work bonuses
(however small!) or temporarily increased hourly wages to
help offset the cost of the team member’s layoff and other
pandemic-related expenses. Don’t forget, too, that the vast
array of government funded programs available to practitioners
may be able to assist you, the practice owner, in
being generous with your team.
Take safety seriously. Keep your team’s safety and peace
of mind at the forefront of every decision you make as an
office. Get the big things in place and take following regulations
set forth by the TSBDE, OSHA and other regulatory
agencies seriously. Remember, too, little things go a long way
to show your team you genuinely care about their well-being.
Little Things example: Many offices have elected to require
teams to stay in the office through lunch to avoid contact
with outsiders during the workday. If this is you, consider
bringing in lunch or even having groceries delivered at the
beginning of each week so team members can make their
breakfast or lunch in the office break room.
Keep your expectations in check and maintain a team
environment. We know you are trying to rebuild your office
and help patients return after months of missing treatment.
We also know that it is easy to feel that your team is
not on your side or to forget that your team is under similar
pressures as you. Remember, though, your team is in the
same boat as you and largely, they are on your side. If you
do have a team member who is clearly not on your side,
reach out to an HR or other consultancy to help guide you
through that situation.
If you are among those who cannot get team members to
return to work, rest assured, help is available!
New graduates, etc., have been delayed, but they will be
eagerly seeking employment soon.
Dental staffing agencies have been working for months to
help recruit team members who are ready and willing to
obtain employment, both temporary and permanent.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to those staffing agencies if you
need workers!
Many employees who have been facing childcare concerns
are starting to see their daycares and other care providers
re-open, allowing them to return to work.
In the end, remember what Gerard Griffin once stated –“people
work for people, not businesses”. Your team needs to have confidence
that you are all in this together as a team. At KAD Dental
Staffing, we are in this with you, and we’re here should you have
any questions or needs as you navigate this unprecedented time.
People work for people,
not businesses.
– Gerard Griffin
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected], call (972) 294-5254
or visit www.kaddental.com, for more
information.
www.northtexasdentistry.com | NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY 21