Navigating Staffing Challenges in Dental Practices: A Family Affair

Navigating Staffing Challenges in Dental Practices: A Family Affair

“I just hired my daughter to run the front desk. She just graduated and has no dental experience. But we just bought this practice and need help. There are no systems in place, and while I was an associate before, they never taught us how to run a practice.”

Sound familiar? I received two similar calls this week.

A notable aspect of the dental industry is that it often resembles a family business. Family members are frequently brought in to help out, whether they have the experience or not. Imagine the awkwardness of saying no to a parent or spouse in need! They can easily get drawn into the “dental vortex,” regardless of their interest or expertise. However, from a business standpoint, this isn’t always the ideal solution.

So, how can Swiss Monkey assist practices in situations like this? While we aren’t a consulting firm (though we do have excellent alliance partners who specialize in workflows, systems, and culture), we connect practices with experienced team members who can provide front desk support and training. Our goal is to help create a cohesive team, regardless of each member’s location.

Now, for those thinking, “They really need an onsite person!”—you’re correct! An onsite team member is indeed the gold standard in many cases. A remote team member isn’t meant to replace your front desk staff but to augment and support your existing team where additional hands are needed.

This particular practice is located “far from the city,” making it difficult to find experienced talent willing to commute. The cycle of hiring, losing, and training team members every few months has taken a toll on operations.

This scenario exemplifies how employing a remote team member can help democratize practice operations, allowing for more flexibility and resilience.

If you’re facing a front desk staffing challenge, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s work through it together!