{ from the editor } by Douglas Wyckoff, DDS • Editor


We Cannot Do This By Ourselves


I


want the dentists out there to think back a little to your begin- nings in the dental profession. The journey began as we entered dental school. I am sure you remember the hours spent inside the four walls of your training grounds. The blood, sweat and tears that came with progressing through the rigorous training.


Four years later, a day arrived that seemed so distant: you received your diploma. You were the fledgling in the nest, about to embark on your future as a dentist. You had completed your training to the point that your instructors and training institution said it was time to leave and continue your journey. They provided the training necessary for you to pass boards and go on to provide care in whatever modality you had chosen.


At this point, if you were like me, you were on top of the world. You had labored long and hard and conquered the requirements it took to get your license. Suddenly, however, you probably came to the same realization I did — I had learned how to do the treatment and provide the care for my patients, but there were so many other pieces to the puzzle I now had to learn to put together. My training did not include many of the other necessities of a successful private practice: being an employer and trainer for my team, setting and collecting fees, getting and repaying loans, and all the other pieces we do daily.


And just like that, we were thrust back into the “learning” mode, but this time in the business of dentistry. Looking back, I can say this journey has been a continual learning process. The adage of “the older I get the more I realize I don’t know” is most appropriate. When I think about how I have arrived where I am now, one thing is very clear, I didn’t get here by myself. Many people have played a role in my success and for that, I am very thankful. I want us to focus on the group that has played a vital role for you and I and that is the dental team we work with daily.


The bottom line is we cannot do what we do by ourselves. It takes management, business, assistants, hygienists, lab technicians and other personnel to make a dental team successful. Attracting and retaining these teams is the key to our success. Some of you are more successful than others in the retention part of the puzzle, but no matter what, we must show appreciation in some manner to keep our teams together and build on that base. The following are some ways that I have witnessed in my time practicing:


PRAISE


A kind word can go a million miles. Giving words of encouragement to our team members builds self-esteem. Getting caught up in being negative and always criticizing will not build a positive environment.


SAY THANK YOU


Being polite is just the right thing to do. We must express gratitude for what our team members do for us daily. Even a simple “thank you” when an instrument is handed to us lets our teammates know we ap- preciate their help. Taking time to do this frequently is imperative.


BUILD CONFIDENCE


There are many ways to build confidence within your team. You must show you believe in and will stand by them in every way possible. When they know you are confident in their abilities, they will grow and help the team grow as well.


PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS


This varies from office to office. Determine what is valued and what you can do to work toward that. Building a good employment pack- age with vacation, holiday pay, insurance and uniform allowance are some of the perks many of us use.


PAY COMPETITIVELY


They say money isn’t everything but having a competitive salary schedule for the area you are practicing in is key. As much as we would like to think this doesn’t play a significant role, it does. Team members who are content with their salaries have increased satisfac- tion.


6 focus | FALL 2024 | ISSUE 3


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