3 Tips To Retain Dental Team Members

Employee attrition is expensive. Research suggests that the cost to recruit, hire, and train a new employee can be as much as one-half to two times an employee’s salary. That’s no small chunk of change, especially when dealing with highly skilled and well-educated workers. And though sometimes change is inevitable and people come and go, the best thing you can do is take steps to retain dental team members. When you do, they’ll work harder, bring more motivation to the team, and even help build patient loyalty.

We want to highlight that change in an organization is good. New team members can bring new ideas and perspectives and can help fill gaps in your dental practice that you didn’t even know you had. 

But there is also something to say about employee retention and growing loyalty. When patients come to the dentist, seeing the same friendly faces that they saw at their previous visit can create a sense of calm and feel more inviting. Plus, that continuity can help dental appointments run more smoothly because there is already some familiarity and camaraderie. 

Here’s what you need to know about how to retain dental team members.

1. Personalized Recognition

Are you one of those leaders who gives your team members a turkey each Thanksgiving or a ham each Christmas? Those gifts are likely very much appreciated by your team members, especially based on the costs of meats these days. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about personalized recognition above and beyond some of the special things you might do throughout the year for everyone on your team.

Some examples of personalized recognition can include calling out specific achievements, like successfully handling a challenging patient or going the extra mile during a busy period. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a spontaneous team shout-out, or a small, meaningful gift, the point here is tailoring the recognition to each person’s preferences. This kind of acknowledgment shows that you see and appreciate their individual efforts as a person. Recognition might be due after reaching a milestone, completing a tough project, or even after consistently demonstrating great teamwork. It’s a powerful motivator when done thoughtfully.

2. Team Celebrations and Events

Next on the list are those team celebrations and events. (We’re not talking about those annual turkeys or hams here either.) We’re talking about the time you take to spend with your team when the patients aren’t present. And this doesn’t mean scheduling a happy hour once a week or demanding team member presence at multiple events throughout the year. Rather, it’s about creating a time where the team can decompress together, enjoy one another’s company, and grow stronger.

Here are some ideas for team celebrations and events that your dental practice team members might really appreciate, especially since a couple of these ideas don’t require additional time commitments beyond the typical workday.

• Monthly team lunches: A casual gathering where everyone can relax, share stories, and celebrate recent successes together. It’s a simple but effective way to build employee engagement and keep your team feeling connected.
• Team-building activities: Whether it’s a fun escape room challenge, a cooking class, or a local sports event, these shared experiences create lasting memories and contribute to happy employees.
• Employee recognition events: Hold an annual or quarterly event where you highlight achievements, growth, and contributions. This promotes employee retention by showing the entire team how valued they are.
• Office “no-work” days: Set aside a day for games, wellness activities, or just fun in the office without any work tasks. It’s a great way to recharge and strengthen team bonds.

3. Continual Growth Opportunities

One of the most impactful things you can do to improve employee retention and create happy team members is to invest in their development. When you do so, employees not only want to stay but also want to work harder, demonstrating their skills and showing appreciation for your trust and investment.

We know it might seem counterintuitive. After all, when you train team members and help them develop their skills, aren’t you inadvertently grooming them to go somewhere else? The answer is a resounding no. Training your team well and recognizing their abilities, talents, and growth will help prevent resignations and keep them in your practice.

Jameson Grow offers virtual dental coaching to help your dental team members grow.

In addition to the three tips we shared above, investing in online dental consulting is a great way to enable dental team success. Your grow coach with Jameson Grow can offer tips and suggestions, as well as training, to help your team become more efficient and effective in patient care, back-office operations, hygiene, and so much more. Think of it as the icing on the cake when you move forward with the other tips we suggested.

Want to learn more? See how your dental practice can grow with Jameson Grow. Get started today.