Hiring a New Dentist
Dental Industry
In a multi-practitioner office, associates may come and go. As such, there may arise a need to hire a new dentist. The owner/dentist may need to fill the position because another dental associate has left the practice or because the practice has grown and another dentist is needed to service more patients.
The owner/dentist needs to approach hiring a new dentist with much attention and care. The newly hired dentist needs to be an asset to the practice, fit in well with the current team of employees, and be well skilled in order to best serve the patients.
Things to Consider before Hiring a New Dentist
The owner/dentist should first and foremost analyze and run numbers to see if hiring an associate makes financial sense. Ask yourself – will the practice support another practitioner? The owner/dentist could consult with a financial advisor for the advice in terms of salary and benefit options. If the financials show that the practice can support an additional dentist then you need to also consider if there is enough of a patient need. Will there be enough new and/or current patients for the new dentist to service?
Tips for the Hiring a New Dentist
When looking to hire a new dentist there are many different options for seeking out a new hire; the hiring dentist may choose to use one or many of these resources. There are several resources available to post online openings for dental practitioners, such as Dentalpost, Craigslist, or the State Dental Association website. Another option is word of mouth through sales reps and other dentists, or talking with dental schools around the area.
When posting an available position, be concise on what you expect from an employee. Include things in your posting such as years of experience, if they can perform molar endo, third molar extractions, and other procedures that will benefit the practice or are specific to your practice.
Perform an interview over the phone to weed out initial prospects. Then, follow up with an in-person interview to see if there are any personality conflicts. A working interview is also recommended, as this allows for the hiring dentist to observe the potential new hire’s hand skills and bedside manner.
Working with the New Dentist
Once a new dentist is hired, it is important to make a concerted effort to bring the new hire in and make them feel like part of the current team. Some owner/dentists choose to hire the new dentist for a trial period, such as six to nine months in order to see if they are a good fit for the practice. During this time the hiring dentist will want to see if the new hire has congruent treatment plans with the owner/dentist. The hiring dentist will need to know how to use constructive criticism and perform quality control for example, check fillings performed by new hire on follow up exams. Always discuss what is expected and have team meetings and morning huddles. It is also helpful to use the office manager as a liaison between the new hire and the owner of the practice.