Dental Practice Management: Hiring Your Support Staff

One of the most exciting, and intimidating, aspects of opening your own dental practice is hiring your support staff. You will spend more time with your staff than you do with just about anyone else in your life, so taking the time to find the best fit for all parties involved is worth the effort.

In addition to hygienists and dental assistants, you’ll also need at least one Dental Concierge (receptionist) who make also be responsible for Accounts Payables/Accounts Receivables, supply orders and other duties. It may seem overwhelming when resumes and applications start rolling in, so here are a few tips to get you started with the process.

Five Things to Keep in Mind When Hiring Your Support Staff

1. Have clearly written job expectations. While responsibilities might shift as your practice grows, do your best to have as clear of expectations as possible when hiring your support staff. You want them to begin their new job with a firm idea of what their position entails. Having everyone on the same page from the get-go will make for an easier transition.
2. Think about the office dynamics. An office dynamic is always improved when the people working there get along, or at least have complementary personalities. With each new person you hire, ask yourself: can I see this person contributing positively to the office dynamic? Make sure you conduct thorough interviews to get a feel for how your new employees will function within your new dental practice.
3. Weigh experience with cost. While you want to hire the best candidates for your position, keep in mind the financial responsibility of taking on an employee. You might find that a younger, less seasoned individual may have lower salary expectations, but their experience may not be what YOUR practice needs. Do your best to strike a balance to find the right fit for your office and budget.
4. Conduct phone interviews. Your front-of-office Dental Concierge (receptionist) will be the first contact for all of your patients, whether calling on the phone or coming through the front door. In addition to meeting these candidates in person, conduct a phone interview to hear what your patients’ will hear. Ensuring that your future Dental Concierge (receptionist) has a dynamic phone personality is important for your patients’ overall experience and WILL directly the conversion of callers to patients.  In addition to being a pleasant conversationalist, you also want to make sure he or she uses proper grammar and has great manners to best represent your practice.
5. Be patient. Start the hiring process with enough time prior to your Grand Opening that you won’t feel rushed to make a quick decision. Finding the right support staff can take time and—while you don’t want to be too picky—you also don’t want to feel forced into choosing the wrong person due to a time crunch. Opening your own dental practice is stressful in and of itself, but the hiring process can also take a toll. Be patient and keep an open mind when it comes to finding your support staff.

Bonus Tip.  Not everyone you employ will be as enthusiastic as you about your new practice – but keep a keen eye out for those whom share your passion.  You may not be filling a “career” position, but you don’t want a team member who only looks at employment with your practice as a “job”.

Those of you who have hired support staff before: we’d love to see your best tips in the comments section below! Or, if you’ve just recently decided to open your own dental practice, download our free eBook “The Profitability of Dentistry” for more great tips.

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