5 Tips for Permanent Dental Staffing Success

Finding and retaining rock-star talent is a critical business challenge facing dental practices today. The process of hiring and managing human resources is a very involved process that takes a dental office a lot of time and energy. It used to be that a dentist could open up a practice and the odds of succeeding were great. In today’s world that is far from the truth. Today, success of your dental practice is closely aligned with the team you have assembled.

To help, we've rounded up 5 tips for permanent dental staffing success:

5. Clarity is Key

Preventing employee churn and dissatisfaction in a dental practice starts with a clear job description. In order to prevent employee loss, a well-written, clear job description is vital. Create the ultimate employee description for your open positions, and have it reviewed and revised by another person to prevent grammatical and spelling errors. Re-read it once again and make any necessary changes until it is clear, detailed and structured, and presents every aspect of the position.

Remember to include educational and work history requirements to ensure each applicant is a great fit for your dental practice.

4. Interview with a Genuine Interest

After you've searched through the resumes, a few applicants look to be a potential match for the position and interviews are scheduled to make a better decision. Before you see any interviewee, create your own set of interview questions. Utilizing generic interview questions will not produce the insight you need to make an informed decision or hire the person with the right competencies and skills you are in search of. Behavioral-style interview questions require dental staff candidates to relate stories about how they handled challenges related to the skills sets the dental practice requires for the position. First, identify areas that you are wanting the new hire to excel at. Secondly, design behavioral-style interview questions to identify a qualifying applicant’s performance history relevant to the competencies and skills you identified for the “open” position.

Be sure to include a few questions around task management, delegation and prioritization. Answers to these questions allow you to gain insight into the interviewee and make an informed hiring decision.

3. When in Doubt, Test the Applicant

No, we don't mean any psychological tests. Create and administer skill tests for all interviewees to complete in order to assess their personal skill level with required skill sets and unique personality traits that would make a great fit in the office. Skills Assessment Tests are designed to highlight required job skills, giving you the information you need to know if any applicant needs additional training or will feel right at home in your dental practice.

2. Always Call References

References are an often overlooked aspect of any resume. References should always be contacted to gather detailed work and skill descriptions of any applicant. This gives you an additional perspective on your applicant to ensure you make the best permanent placement choice.

It may be beneficial to create a list of standard questions to ask all references that touch on information you may have missed during the interview. A great question to end a reference call with is, “On a scale of 1-10, ten signifying outstanding, where would you rate the overall performance of  ______”. If the referral source comments anything less than a “10”, follow up with, “What would make them a “10?”. You will be surprised at the additional information you will obtain just from these two questions.

1. Focus on Team Work

There are hundreds of personality types and work styles. Why not maximize your team’s ability to work together with a personality profile tool? DiSC is a recognized and highly successful tool that categorizes and informs the test taker with information to maximize their natural work style and how to interact with others that do not share a similar disposition.

A lot of dental practice drama stems from a lack of team work, and can easily be resolved through DiSC-like supportive training.

Simply put… Your team makes or breaks your dental practice

Having the right hire is critical in maximizing dental practice production and profitability. It’s too important to leave to chance; it’s too important for just ‘good enough’. Strategic Practice Solutions has a unique 2-phase permanent staffing process to assist in finding, hiring and retaining roc-star dental team members.

Phase 1 involves creating a profile for the position and assigning a recruiter to the open order. Candidates matching the employer’s profile are selected and the interviewing and hiring process begins.

Phase 2 includes a DiSC personality/behavioral profile assessment of candidates. DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work productivity, teamwork and communication.

Strategic Practice Solutions’ permanent talent acquisition provides:

• Access to a pool of candidates not actively looking for employment
• Active marketing of the open position within SPS’s Social Media database and a classified posting of the open position on our job board
• Assigning a full time recruiter dedicated to working on the talent acquisition & prequalification of candidates
• Creating a "job profile" containing the skill sets required for the position
• Customizing interview questions designed to measure applicant skill set required for the open position
• Thorough employment references to establish the candidates performance history
• Human Resource coaching
• 180 day service guarantee

Do you have the right team in place? If not, call us at 888.421.1808 for help with permanent and temporary dental staff placement.

Michigan Dental Staffing Agency Offers Six Month Placement Guarantee

Strategic Practice Solutions (SPS), a leading provider of dental staffing services in Michigan and Ohio, offer a six-month guarantee for their permanent services. If a hired dental employee leaves with six months of hire, SPS will replace free of charge.

“We feel so strongly in our 2-phase permanent staffing process, that it makes sense to offer a guarantee,” commented Kristin Marling, talent acquisition specialist at SPS. “Having the right hire is critical in maximizing dental practice production and profitability. It’s too important to leave to chance; it’s too important for just ‘good enough’. We hire for fit and longevity, and we guarantee it.”

Phase 1 involves creating a profile for the position and assigning a recruiter to the open order. Candidates matching the employer’s profile are selected and the interviewing and hiring process begins. Phase 2 includes a DiSC personality/behavioral profile assessment of candidates. DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work productivity, teamwork and communication.

Strategic Practice Solutions’ permanent dental staff placement provides:

• Access to a pool of candidates not actively looking for employment
• Active marketing of the open position within SPS’s Social Media database and a classified posting of the open position on our job board
• Assigning a full time recruiter dedicated to working on the talent acquisition & pre-qualification of candidates
• Creating a "job profile" containing the skill sets required for the position
• Customizing interview questions designed to measure applicant skill set required for the open position
• Thorough employment references to establish the candidates performance history
• Human Resource coaching
• 180-day service guarantee

Based in Michigan, Strategic Practice Solutions (SPS) is a leading provider of dental practice management consulting, coaching and training in the Midwest. Since 2009, SPS has been providing dental practices with knowledge, skills and personal coaching to improve revenue, leadership, staff communication and client satisfaction. SPS offers a variety of training, seminars, certifications and workshops including, Everything DiSC: a Wiley Brand, for new and existing dental practices in Metro Detroit, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Ann Arbor, Howell, and surrounding areas including Ohio and Virginia. Learn more at www.strategicpracticesolution.com.

Dentaltown's Howard Farran DDS Poses for Photo

One of the highlights from this past Thursday's Nemeth seminar was when our Director of Operations and Dental Practice Management expert, Tricia Casasanta posed for a photo with Howard Farran, DDS, founder and CEO of Dentaltown.

What a thrill!!

Michigan Dental Consulting Firm Continues to Grow

Strategic Practice Solutions, a leading provider of dental practice management consulting, coaching and training in the Midwest, announced today the addition of Lisa Duquette and Lela Lawicki to the SPS team.
 

Lisa Duquette has been named Program Development Director and joins the team with extensive knowledge in training development, consultation and project management. Her role is to improve current programs such as the C.O.R.E, Revenue Directed Hygiene and Recare/Recall, create new programs and bring advancements to the Sparkplug Dental Practice Management System.

Previously Lisa worked in the automotive and health care industries and gained practical experience in instructional design, adult learning strategies and customer service. Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources specializing in Training and Development from Oakland University.

“To work with a team of true professionals whose focus is always customer centered is truly exciting,” commented Lisa. “This organization is transforming the industry one practice at a time and I am privileged to be a part of it.”

Lela Lawicki joins SPS as a hygiene department coach and trainer. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and has spent the past 25 years in the dental field helping to generate double and triple the production within the hygiene departments.

Previously she has worked as a dental assistant in Endodontics, Orthodontics, and General and Cosmetic dentistry which provided a broader scope of the inter-connectedness within each field.

Lela comments, “I welcome the opportunity to work as a coach and help motivate, educate and move dental practices forward. We offer a unique blend of dental practice consulting, coaching and training customized to meet any budget and timeline.”

“The addition of Lisa and Lela allows Strategic Practice Solutions to better meet strong market demand and continue to develop and bring to market our industry-leading dental practice consulting services,” said Tricia Casasanta, Director of Operations. “I am excited about the skills and leadership they bring to the SPS team," she continued.

Based in Michigan, Strategic Practice Solutions (SPS) is a leading provider of dental practice management consulting, coaching and training in the Midwest. Since 2009, SPS has been providing dental practices with knowledge, skills and personal coaching to improve revenue, leadership, staff communication and client satisfaction. SPS offers a variety of training, seminars, certifications and workshops including, Everything DiSC: a Wiley Brand, for new and existing dental practices in Metro Detroit, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Ann Arbor, Howell, and surrounding areas including Ohio and Virginia. Learn more at www.strategicpracticesolution.com.

Strategic Practice Solutions to Exhibit at 2014 Nemeth Fall Seminar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Cynthia Vince
Strategic Practice Solutions
8187 Rhode Drive, Suite B
Shelby Township, MI 48317
Phone 586-803-7501
Fax 586-803-8130
E-mail   info@spsolutionteam.com
Website www.strategicpracticesolution.com

Howard Farran, D.D.S., MBA

Shelby Township, MI – Strategic Practice Solutions, a leading provider of dental practice management consulting, coaching and training in the Midwest, announce their participation in the Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S. & Associates Annual Fall Seminar on Thursday, October 23, 2014. Strategic Practice Solutions has been attending the Nemeth events since 2009.

The Nemeth Fall Seminar takes place at the Diamond Center at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The speaker, Howard Farran, D.D.S., MBA, promises to be informative and entertaining. His One-Day Dental MBA Seminar explores principles beyond the scope of dentistry that every business needs to implement to ensure success. He will share his proven techniques to increase productivity and expand your business. His topics include the three things you manage: people, time, and money; as well as the three functions of business: make something, sell something, and watch the numbers.

“Once again, we are very excited to exhibit at Dr. Nemeth’s event,” commented Tricia Casasanta, director of operations for Strategic Practice Solutions. “No other seminar in the Midwest brings together as many dental industry professionals as Dr. Nemeth’s annual fall event.”

Strategic Practice Solutions encourages dentists, hygienists and staff members in attendance to stop by and visit booth# 30.

Based in Michigan, Strategic Practice Solutions (SPS) is a leading provider of dental practice management consulting, coaching and training in the Midwest. Since 2009, SPS has been providing dental practices with knowledge, skills and personal coaching to improve revenue, leadership, staff communication and client satisfaction. SPS offers a variety of training, seminars, certifications and workshops including, Everything DiSC: a Wiley Brand, for new and existing dental practices in Metro Detroit, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Ann Arbor, Howell, and surrounding areas including Ohio and Virginia. Learn more at www.strategicpracticesolution.com.

Looking to Hire Motivated Leaders? Find Out the "Nine Benefits of Hiring a Veteran."

Do you struggle to find dependable and motivated leaders to join your practice? 

Wouldn’t having a team member who is always punctual, loyal, and dedicated, be an asset to you?

Do you agree that not only is it difficult to find quality staff, but it’s nearly impossible to find enough time to search for candidates while running your practice?

If you answered “Yes!” and are searching for assistance with dental staffing in Michigan, consider hiring us to recruit a Veteran for your team.  

They have put their lives on the line to protect our country from harm, and have an incredible set of skills and characteristics that could be invaluable to you, including:

• They have incredible teamwork and leadership skills.
• Veterans are skilled at following instructions and procedures.
• They typically have strong work ethic, are trustworthy and dependable.
• They are well travelled and have a deep understanding of working with diverse populations.
• Veterans are accustomed to working under pressure or troubleshooting when unexpected situations occur.
• Hiring veterans can have a positive effect on your practice’s public relations.  They may help you attract new patients who are also veterans or have family serving in the military.
• Veterans understand safety and health standards, and will uphold all guidelines to protect themselves and others.
• Above all, they can be extremely loyal and will be motivated to accomplish their goals.  
• When you hire a qualified veteran, you may also be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. 

We can help you with your permanent and temporary dental staffing in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and surrounding areas.  We take the time to thoroughly screen candidates, including verifying their licenses, certifications, and references.  When you hire us for permanent talent acquisition we also offer human resource coaching and a 180 day service guarantee. 

"If you own a business, the best way to thank a Veteran is to hire one."
-Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis-

Contact us today at 888-421-1808 to start the process to hire a Veteran for your practice.  They give so much to us and ask for little in return. 

The Premiere Dental Office Management Team Warns, "Don't be a Zombie Dentist!"

"Don't Be A Zombie Dentist!"

Does stress or fatigue cause you to struggle to concentrate on the things your patient or co-worker is saying? 

It’s easy to let your mind wander, especially if you’re stressed, tired, or busy.   We understand that it takes a lot of time and energy to succeed at dental office management in Michigan.   But you owe it to your patient, co-worker, friend, child, partner, and YOURSELF to be present. 

Zen masters state that “Being present is being free.  When you live in the past or future, you miss out on the peace in the present.” 

When you aren’t being present, you rob yourself and others from a true connection.  At the workplace, if you don’t foster a connection with your patients, you could miss something very important.  It could be a comment they make about their life, their care plan, their finances, etc. Or, they just may not return if you aren’t engaging enough.  No one wants their dentist to be a zombie … just going through the motions!  Remember that people feel truly cared for when someone listens to them.  Don’t you feel extra special when someone remembers your name or a fact about you? 

What will you gain from being more present?  You’ll feel calmer because you’re able to focus on one task or person.  You’ll work more efficiently instead of over multi-tasking.  You’ll also gain a genuine connection with your patients and co-workers, which will make your workplace more positive. 

Our consulting and practice coaching have helped hundreds of clients with dental office management in Michigan and Ohio.  The following tips are simple yet easy to overlook. 

Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate rest, exercise, and nutrition to help you stay focused.

Remove extra distractions.  Try not to carry a cell phone on your person.  Even when your phone is on vibrate, it can cause a commotion when it buzzes. 

If you find music relaxes your patients, try to play only instrumental music to make conversation easier. 

Review your patient’s file in a quiet location where you’re less likely to be interrupted.**

If your morning has been challenging, try to take a quick walk during a break to get re-energized. 

Brendon Burchard, a self-help guru, states that at the end of our life we typically ask three questions.  

“Did I live?”  
“Did I love?”  
“Did I matter?” 
Burchard reminds us that to live with purpose and passion.  He says, “Having a plan for your life, knowing what you want to achieve, having a purposeful meaning to get up every day, all these things are “being present” in your life.”  

In the field of dentistry, you certainly matter to your patients.  You have the knowledge and skills to not only make their smiles more beautiful, but to take their pain away and improve their health.  Make a difference today and be present with your patients.  We’re here to help you with your dental office management in Michigan.  Contact us today at 888-421-1808 to schedule a practice analysis or to arrange a practice coaching session 

We'd also enjoy reading your thoughts below.  Please feel free to share the ways you stay present at work.  

**If you don’t do so already keep a small note section in your patient’s file.  If they mention their job, vacation, hobby etc., make note of any pertinent facts.  The next time they schedule an appointment refresh your memory with these notes and use it as an ice breaker for the current visit.  This tip doesn’t necessarily help you stay present, but it can make your patient feel that you listen well.