Are you experiencing an unusually high rate of turnover at your dental practice? If so, you’re not alone. “The Great Resignation” hit almost every industry in the U.S. last year, and the trend is still going strong in 2022. What may seem like adversity could be an opportunity. In this article, the dental industry experts at Bryant Consultants explore how you can use this tidal wave of resignations to transform your practice for the better.
Certain areas are more vulnerable to employee resignation than others
Thus far, resignation rates have been highest in states that have lower wages—in this case, the national federally mandated wage of $7.25 per hour. Another recent study by Dental Care Alliance determined a wide variance in the salaries of dentists and dental hygienists. In fact, the highest annual wage for a dentist was approximately triple the lowest wage. A similar gap existed for hygienists.
Several major businesses have already raised their wages to combat the wave of resignations. In March of 2022, Target announced it was increasing its minimum wage to as much as $24 an hour. Paying employees more is just one of the influences.
Other factors that contribute to an increased resignation rate are:
- Understanding the needs of your team: For some employees, financial compensation means less compared to having paid time off or insurance benefits. Perhaps child care is important. So offering a staggered schedule to your team may help fulfill needs on both sides of the table. When you know about your employees’ needs and meet them, you’re encouraging them to stay.
- Communication: We live in stressful times. It’s important to check in with your team members and make sure their needs are met. Good communication skills centered on the well-being of your employees will give them a better experience.
- Plan ahead: The number of dental hygienists jobs is projected to increase by more than 15% in the next decade, significantly higher than the average growth rate of other occupations, according to data compiled by Dental Care Alliance.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
Maybe you haven’t had to deal with resignations affecting your team, but it could happen. If your practice is located in one of the states or municipalities with lower pay, it might just be a matter of time. A wave of resignations could impact your ability to do business on a daily basis and even compromise the level of care you provide to your patients. This can be a serious blow to the stability and profitability of your dental practice. Waiting to find solutions to make your team feel valued won’t mean much if you do not incorporate changes until resignation letters start hitting your desk.
Instead, act now! Consider making reasonable changes or accommodations to transform the employee experience for your team. As we mentioned, even if you cannot raise wages, you can find other ways to improve the workplace culture through benefits, more time off, or just creating a culture where your employees feel heard. You want your employers truly to feel like part of a team and that you care about them and their families—not just their contributions while they are on the clock.
Leadership training for dentists like you
In times like these, fine-tuning your leadership is crucial. Bryant Consultants offers leadership training for dentists just like you. We also currently can conduct a complimentary one-hour consultation. Schedule yours today by calling us at (877) 768-4799. We provide consultation, training, and coaching virtually or in person. To ensure that you receive the latest updates, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
