(800) 560-6066Let’s face it… despite what others may tell you, running a successful dental practice isn’t a walk in the park. You’ve got mile-long to-do lists, impatient patients (no pun intended), and yes… a whole lot of paperwork. But one of the most CRITICAL pieces of the puzzle? Staff management.
That’s where Karen Sani comes in—Practice Manager at the Pediatric Dental Group in New York. On a recent episode of Dental Voice, Karen shared some advice on how to effectively build, manage, and maintain a superstar dental team. And today, we’re digging into her strategies to give you practical tips on how to do just that. Let’s get started.
💪 First Things First… Build a STRONG Team!
The key to success in ANY dental practice is building a solid team. How? By finding candidates who are not only qualified, but passionate and dedicated to providing quality care to patients. With three offices and over 70 employees, her practice’s goal is simple: to create a safe, welcoming, and fun place for kids from all backgrounds, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
To build a superstar dental team, consider the following:
- Be Selective: Hire people who are genuinely excited about dentistry and want to work with your type of patient. Bringing on an AMAZING clinician who does not like to work with children makes little sense for a pediatric office, no matter their skill level. Think about it… would you want them operating on your kid?
- Look for Communication Skills: During interviews, look for people who play well with others and communicate clearly. Sure, dental skills can be improved upon… but it’s harder to teach them how to be a good teammate or to talk with patients and staff. Soft skills are more likely to be ingrained in them.
- Invest in Growth: Make sure to offer regular training and opportunities for professional growth. This helps your team stay sharp with the latest in dental technology and shows them that they’re an important part of your practice. When you invest in their skills, they not only become better at their jobs but also feel more valued and connected to the success of the practice.
✅ How to Avoid (And React!) to Staffing Challenges
Even if you have the BEST dental team in the world, you’re still going to run into staffing challenges. Karen Sani knows this all too well—like the time ten staff members were out on the same day (yes, TEN!) What would you do in this situation? Here’s what Karen does:
- Be Open and Honest: Open and honest communication between practice managers and staff is crucial. Recognize that life happens, people get sick – that’s fine. It’s the “I’m just not feeling it” days off that you want to avoid.
- Be Flexible: The dental field is unpredictable, requiring you to be as flexible as possible. Karen’s advice? Always have a Plan B. Be prepared to adjust schedules, roles, and responsibilities to accommodate staffing needs and changes in real time. Whether it’s flu season or just a bad case of the Mondays, don’t let high absence days take you by surprise.
- Maximize Technology: Karen suggests leaning on technology to keep things running smoothly. Efficient practice management software can help streamline scheduling, manage patient records, and facilitate communication which can reduce workload on staff and prevent burnout. This smart use of tech can ensure even on those inevitably hectic days, your practice runs like a well-oiled machine.
How to NEVER Go Into ‘Panic Mode’ When 💩 Hits the Fan
It takes A LOT of effort to keep three large dental practices fully staffed year-round. Karen’s practice is almost always actively hiring, with a focus on individuals who share a passion for pediatric dentistry. That way, if there’s ever a significant change in staff (i.e. someone quits, gets fired, or goes on leave), the practice doesn’t go into panic mode.
Here are the tactics she suggests to keep the talent pipeline flowing:
- Constantly Search for Talent: Many practices make the mistake of searching for candidates only AFTER they have a vacant position. Instead, use job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to always be on the hunt for new talent. That way? You have applicants lined up and ready to go…before you even need them!
- Network: Attend local career fairs and industry events to network and connect with potential candidates. Because it’s not just about boring resumes on a computer screen; it’s about shaking hands, sharing stories, and understanding the market. This way, you’re not just another practice in the pile—you’re the practice they met and remembered.
- Build Relationships: And last, (but certainly not least), building relationships with dental schools and dental associations can give you INSTANT access to a pool of qualified applicants. Why? Because when they know you and what your practice stands for, they’ll refer their best and brightest your way… saving you time, energy, and money.
At the end of the day, dealing with staffing challenges in a dental practice is never easy and usually pops up when you least expect it. It requires nailing the basics—building a killer team, keeping an open dialogue, being flexible, and committing to career growth. Karen Sani spills the secrets of mastering this balancing act. Take a leaf out of her playbook, and you could steer your dental practice to a place where every team member feels pumped to be there and patients can’t help but notice.
Want to learn more from Karen? You can find her in our Empowered Dentistry community and listen to the full interview on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
