10 Steps to Effective Hiring for Your Dental Practice

Turnover in dental teams is one of the leading factors in decreasing production, increasing stress, and inefficiency in the implementation of systems. Although some turnover is normal and beneficial even, some can also be avoided. To have an effective hiring system we need written documentation of all internal practice policies, systems, and procedures to facilitate the training of new team members. However, another subject that needs to be addressed is how to intelligently hire, train, and motivate exceptional employees and how to effectively terminate staff members who are not performing at the desired level. How many dentists are as diligent about hiring a new team member as they are about evaluating a new clinical device? We all realize the importance of carefully weighing all the attributes and capabilities of an advanced clinical system. In the long term, however, the system you purchase will cost you less than the new team member you need to hire. That is why it is critically important to gather sufficient facts before beginning the hiring process. There is a business adage that states, "Hire hard and you manage easy." You need to do a lot of work upfront to ensure that you'll get the best employee available for the position. This work is an investment in the success of your practice and the team member you hire. This guide provides general recommendations for implementing an effective hiring process; however, it is critical to note that state employment laws vary, and you should always consult your attorney when questions arise.