All Canadians are feeling the pressures facing the dental industry. Anecdotally, you might have heard a dental colleague recounting a fast-paced day in the clinic, struggling to accommodate the number of patients due to inadequate staffing. As a patient, you might have noticed a more rushed and tense environment compared to previous visits. Dental sales reps often brace themselves before entering clinics, knowing they’ll be a sounding board for dentists frustrated by staffing challenges. Whether through personal experience, anecdotal stories, or statistical data, we all have encountered the impacts of the nationwide shortage of dental auxiliary team members.
A constant labour deficit can significantly impact both team members and patients. The effects could include:
- Longer wait times for patients
- Reduced interaction time between patients and dental professionals
- Insufficient follow-up care
- A hurried and stressful atmosphere
- Potential loss of clientele due to decreased service quality
- Diminished job satisfaction and productivity among staff
- Increased risk of staff burnout
- Higher potential for errors
- Reduced morale and staff retention
As dental offices navigate the challenges of labour shortages, several strategies can be implemented to mitigate the impact:
1. Hire Youth as Part-Time Help
Employing young, part-time workers for tasks such as sterilization, room turnover, and other support roles can alleviate the workload on full-time staff, particularly during less desirable shifts like evenings and weekends. This cost-effective approach not only offers valuable work experience for young individuals but also allows primary staff to concentrate on more specialized tasks.
2. Mentor a Distance Delivery Dental Assisting Student
Mentoring students enrolled in an online dental assisting program allows them to gain practical experience while earning their credentials, ensuring a steady flow of trained professionals into the workforce. These students can work as administrative assistants or sterilization technicians during their studies, providing valuable support to the dental office. This earn-while-you-learn approach is a win-win: dentists retain essential staff, and students receive hands-on experience while progressing toward certification. By implementing this mentorship strategy, dental offices can create a pipeline of well-trained dental assistants who are prepared to step into full-time clinical roles upon certification.
3. Proactive Recruitment
Maintaining an ongoing recruitment process is essential. Actively promoting careers to teenagers, high school students, parents, and community members can attract new talent. Job shadowing, mentorship programs, career fairs, and community engagement are effective ways to highlight career opportunities and encourage interest.
4. Support and Recognition
Providing emotional support and recognizing staff members’ hard work through a recognition program can significantly boost morale and motivation. Acknowledgment of efforts fosters a positive work environment and enhances job satisfaction.
5. Healthy Work Environment
Creating a positive and healthy work environment is crucial. Ensuring adequate breaks, promoting teamwork, and offering resources for stress management can help maintain staff well-being and prevent burnout.
6. Streamline Workflow
Reviewing and refining office procedures to eliminate inefficiencies is vital. Simplifying administrative tasks, using checklists, and implementing more efficient workflows can reduce unnecessary burdens on staff.
7. Leverage Technology
Utilizing management software to automate scheduling, reminders, and billing processes can free up in-office staff to focus on direct client or patient care. Outsourcing these tasks remotely is another option to consider.
8. Versatile Team Members
Training employees to handle multiple roles ensures flexibility and efficiency within the team. Ongoing training helps staff stay updated on new techniques and technologies, enabling them to take on a wider range of responsibilities.
By implementing these measures, dental offices can create a resilient and motivated workforce, ensuring high-quality patient care and a sustainable practice. This comprehensive approach not only mitigates current labour shortages but also builds a robust pipeline of future dental professionals.
About the Author
Casey Sharp, co-founder and COO of Risio Institute for Digital Dental Education, brings over two decades of expertise as a dental assistant. With a background in adult education and instructional design, Casey created the school’s e-learning modules and oversees curriculum development and the management of its Learning Management System (LMS). Casey combines practical experience with a passion for leveraging digital technology to enhance dental education.
