Opening a dental practice in itself is time consuming. However, one critical component of opening a dental office is hiring the right staff that has the same vision and goals as the dentist.
One of the key positions in a dental practice is the front desk receptionist --- a people person with a pleasant attitude and a multi- tasker. This person is the first impression for your dental practice and should make the patient feel welcomed.
The next key position is the dental assistant who is the dentists' right hand. The assistant must be able to work in collaboration with the dentist to make the patient flow process run smoothly.
Another key position in having a successful dental practice is the dental hygienist.
As a dentist you should take your time in hiring of staff because finding the right combination of team members is critical in making your practice a success. Make sure that the person will be the right fit within the practice.
Delegating and managing staff effectively is a part of independent dental practice. The first step is to decide on the number of staff required to run the clinic professionally. Most of the times it depends on the area and the types of treatments performed in the dental clinic. In general a receptionist, a secretary and a dental assistant are required in a dental clinic. Some dentists hire one or two employees and train them to take up two jobs or more. Such adjustment is convenient in terms of compensation and saves space.
Prepare a list of the duties each staff needs to accomplish. This is to foresee that the jobs are completed in your absence. It also ensures giving them a sense of purpose in the clinic.
Discuss and clarify issues such as salary, compensation, benefits if any, work timings, etc. in detail and only then hire the applicant. Review their performance and compensate them with incentives at regular intervals. Address their issues from a neutral point of view.
