By: Katie Klaes
The hospitality industry was known for high employee turnover even before the pandemic. Dentistry and several other industries are now facing the same challenges, so I wanted to investigate what they are doing to attract and retain employees.
Surprisingly enough, their recommendations can also be directly applied to your dental office.
5 Tips to Reduce Employee Turnover in Your Dental Staff
Working in hospitality can be challenging both physically and mentally. Dentistry is no different. While the specific work of the two industries is different, what employees are looking for in a job is remarkably similar.
Here are 5 simple strategies to slow down employee turnover:
- Treat employees as a valued investment, not an expense item
- Demonstrate that you trust the employee first, before expecting them to trust you
- Take the time to hold performance reviews at least on an annual basis
- Take advantage of available technologies that would save your employees time or make their day-to-day tasks easier.
- Coworkers directly impact turnover and retention; an employee’s emotional attachment to their coworkers is often more than to the practice overall. Foster these relationships.
Other Ways to Slow Employee Turnover
Sincere appreciation, clear expectations, and accountability are all important for employee retention. Also, employees want to be heard.
Are they not only allowed, but encouraged, to problem solve and have a voice in how the practice runs?
A great way to get feedback is through anonymous online surveys. This allows the employee to speak freely without the fear of their handwriting being recognized or punished for their opinions.
A great and motivated employee has a high probability of leaving if there is no foreseeable career advancement. Career development and training through workshops, industry events, and CE will keep them engaged, as well as facilitate a deserved raise or promotion through increased skills.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
