Did you know that nearly 70% of employees in the health-care sector report feeling disengaged?1 As a dental entrepreneur and practice owner, you must foster a thriving environment for your team not only for retention but also for overall practice success.
A highly satisfied and engaged team can lead to enhanced patient care, improved office morale, and greater profitability. Here are some actionable strategies to ensure your team’s needs are met, which will ultimately enhance job satisfaction and the success of your practice.
Understand team motivators
Understanding what motivates your team is the first step toward enhancing satisfaction. Five key motivators significantly impact team member engagement:
- Respect: Valuing team contributions fosters loyalty.
- Growth: Opportunities for advancement excite employees.
- Challenges: Engaging work keeps staff energized.
- Money: Competitive compensation supports satisfaction.
- Purpose: Aligning work with personal values increases fulfillment.
Encourage your team to rank these elements in order of importance. This exercise can provide valuable insights into what genuinely drives them. For example, if growth is a top motivator, consider offering more training and advancement opportunities.
I once worked with a dental assistant who loved her role but felt disheartened by our office's lack of recycling. We discussed her desire to help our office help the environment. With just a few recycling bins, she took the initiative to implement the process and even trained someone to take over if needed. The result? She was ecstatic on recycling days, and her positivity and enthusiasm became contagious. It was a win-win; we all felt great!
There’s power in celebration
Incorporating celebration into your practice culture can profoundly impact team morale. Regularly acknowledge achievements, whether it’s a successful treatment, reaching a new-patient milestone, or recognizing individual contributions. These moments of recognition boost confidence and foster a sense of community and belonging.
Consider establishing a celebration segment in your morning huddle. Acknowledge a team member who handled a difficult patient or exemplified exceptional customer service. It’s important that these celebrations are shared by all team members and doctors. Make it a goal to catch your teammates doing good and watch positivity seep into your day.
Build intentional connections
Building intentional connections among team members is key to fostering a supportive environment. Schedule regular check-ins and create open dialogue to allow team members to express their needs and aspirations. Encourage personal sharing during meetings to strengthen relationships and help team members feel valued, which cultivates trust among colleagues.
Additionally, consider organizing team-building activities outside of work to enhance camaraderie and collective bonding. You might explore fun outings, volunteer events, or team challenges that align with your practice values.
Fill everyone’s cup
Once you’ve identified what fills team members' cups, encourage them to reflect on their daily tasks and recognize what leads to job satisfaction. Are their roles aligned with their personal and professional goals? Offer time for regular self-assessment and goal-setting discussions to help them take proactive steps toward fulfillment. Create an environment where team members feel empowered to suggest changes that could enhance their roles.
Implement effective morning huddles
Morning huddles can be a cornerstone for elevating team satisfaction. These brief yet impactful meetings set a positive tone for the day, ensuring clarity among team members and enhancing teamwork.
To facilitate productive morning huddles, use a worksheet that outlines key elements such as setting daily goals, celebrating wins, and discussing challenges. This structured approach helps teams prioritize tasks and stay connected to their shared vision throughout the day.
Share long-term strategies for satisfaction
To maintain high levels of team satisfaction, implement long-term strategies such as providing ongoing professional development opportunities, creating mentoring programs, and conducting regular evaluations of team culture.
Encourage feedback from your team about the office environment; this can play a vital role in making necessary adjustments. Importantly, emphasize the importance of work-life balance, as well-rounded individuals tend to be happier and more productive.
By embracing these principles and intentionally focusing on celebration, connection, and support for professional growth, you can transform your dental practice into a workplace where team members feel fulfilled and empowered. Start with one simple initiative today and watch how it opens a world of possibilities for your team and practice.
Remember, when your team’s cups are full, everyone thrives, resulting in enhanced productivity, reduced turnover, and ultimately, greater profitability for your practice.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the June 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
Reference
- Connolly A. Report: tackling the healthcare disengagement crisis in 2024. WorkVivo. April 16, 2024. https://www.workvivo.com/blog/report-tackling-the-healthcare-disengagement-crisis-in-2024/
