8 Simple Secrets to Being Indispensable in the Dental Practice

by Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, President

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Today, more than ever, is our chance to shine! I am confident that you have experienced, and probably still are experiencing, sub-service in many different areas.

I have visited various places, whether it is a professional place of business, a restaurant, or even a grocery store, where there have been signs at the front entrance actually warning me that I won’t be receiving great service. “Be prepared, you will not be receiving good service today due to shortage of staff, etc.” And then I think to myself and sometimes say out loud, “Tomorrow isn’t looking good for you either!”

This used to be a joke. My friend Jo-Anne Jones had a little sign with this funny saying at her family cottage; but now, this is for real. People are pre-warning you that you are not going to be happy with the service they will be providing.

I would never have thought that we would be experiencing such a warning and then, ultimately, receive such poor service and be okay with it. Patience has become something that many of us have mastered, and acceptance of poor service has become a requirement.

I can understand that, yes, there are circumstances where this is going to be happening and understandably so. But I also feel that it is an excuse for many to deliver poor service and not care. I have had this conversation with a variety of people, and this is something that many are experiencing.

But guess what? This is a great opportunity for us. This is where we can really shine. We can over-deliver, exceed expectations, and have our clients and team talking about us when the opportunity arises that will essentially lead to referrals and good things.

Now is our time to shine!

This is a great opportunity for us to self-assess and look for areas to bring more value to our dental practices, and to become indispensable.

Everyone wants to feel indispensable; although we realize that no one really is indispensable, it is important for us to have this mindset to flourish in our workplace. There are even books available on this topic as this is something that many strive for.

I speak and engage with dental hygienists every day and often hear the pain that many are feeling in their dental practice. They don’t feel noticed. They have no voice or input. They are not engaged and are stuck on the hamster wheel. A program may get started in the practice, but it never gets fully implemented or it doesn’t sustain.

I am excited to share strategies on how you can stand out as a dental hygienist. How you can have your voice heard and be innovative, a planner and an implementer!

Strategies that will not only have your clients looking to you, wanting to see you, and respecting you; but also, your team members as well. Strategies that will help you succeed and essentially be in a position in your office that fulfills you.

Being indispensable in the workplace is attainable! I will be sharing these strategies over the next few issues of Oral Hygiene, so please stay tuned for more.

The 8 Simple Secrets to Being Indispensable in the Dental Practice:

Secret #1: Let’s start with the positive mindset. A positive mindset = a positive life! People want to be around positive people.

A positive mindset starts at the beginning of the day. If you start your day off with a couple of things not going your way, you can still switch it around so that you are in control of your day and how it will turn out for you.

Here are some practical tips to achieve a positive mindset:

a. Begin the day with a positive affirmation or a positive podcast. Repeating a positive affirmation, smiling, and doing mindful breathing in and out of your nose can change your mindset. You can shake off the negativity just by putting positive thoughts in your mind.

b. Focus on the good things, however small. Almost invariably, you’re going to encounter obstacles throughout the day – there’s no such thing as a perfect day. When you encounter such a challenge, focus on the benefits, no matter how slight or unimportant they seem. For example, if the store is out of the food you would like to prepare, get excited for the opportunity to try something new. If you get stuck in traffic, think about how you now have time to listen to the rest of your favourite podcast. If you have a difficult client, think about how lucky you are to help someone in need and, perhaps, you made a difference for them in their day because you smothered them with kindness. Don’t play the victim. This helps shape the positive mindset.

c. Laugh it off. Find humour in bad situations. Allow yourself to experience humour in even the most trying times. Remind yourself that this situation will probably make for a good story later and try to crack a joke about it. Journal about it that night and find the humour.

d. Turn your failures into a lesson.You aren’t perfect. You’re going to make mistakes and experience that feeling of failure many times. Are they really failures? Think of them as a lesson learned for next time!

e. Transform negative self-talk into positive self-talk. Unveil your limiting beliefs to discover your liberating truths! For example:

Limiting Beliefs:

  • They ask too much of me.
  • I have no extra time or energy.
  • This will never work.
  • Oh, here we go again – we never stick to anything.
  • I can’t do that (not capable).
  • I am not creative/innovative.
  • This won’t work with our clients/in our practice.
  • This won’t work in our area.

Liberating Truths:

  • They ask too much of me.
    – With the right time management and balance, I can work on this productively.
  • I have no extra time or energy.
    – With the right time management, balance, and positive mindset, I can work on this productively.
  • This will never work.
    – With the right plan, team and guidance, this will work.
  • Oh, here we go again – We never stick to anything.
    – We have a great team and can accomplish anything we set our minds to.
  • I can’t do that/not capable.
    – There is an abundance of res-ources at my fingertips.
  • This won’t work with our clients/in our practice.
    – With the right promotion and offering, this will be a wonderful addition/service to our clients.
  • This won’t work in our area.
    – Focusing on a specific profile client type in our area will bring new clients in.

f. Focus on the present. Not today or this hour. Focus on this very moment and identify what is important at this moment.

g. Find positive friends, co-workers, and mentors. Surrounding yourself with positive people will have a positive effect on your mindset.

h. Stay away from gossip! When speaking about a fellow co-worker, would you say what you are saying with them in the room? If not, avoid engaging in this communication.

To be continued in the next issue of Oral Hygiene!


About the Author

Kathleen is the president of rdhu, a Professional Development company, which provides team events, hands-on programs and online learning to help Transform the Dental Hygiene Experience for the clinician, the client/patient and the practice. rdhu.ca

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