Dental staff shortages: Are easier days ahead?

Nov. 10, 2021
It's important to hang on to the staff you have and to attract top people when hiring. DentalPost founder Tonya Lanthier, RDH, discusses hiring in today's environment, and a new feature in DentalPost called SmartView.

I recently sat down with Tonya Lanthier, RDH, founder of DentalPost, about the staffing shortage. She predicts it won't end anytime soon, and we need to adjust. First of all, we need to strive to hang on to the top team members we have. This is done primarily through office culture. showing empathy, and letting people know they're valued, not necessarily through high paychecks.

But all is not gloom. The shortage is getting better as people slowly return to the workforce. But how can dentists be sure they find the best fit for their practices? DentalPost has added a tool that might help in that area called SmartView. It's an option that allows users to screen candidates minus their name and photo. This filters out some automatic biases that most people have in order for them to focus on people's qualities, not looks and names.

Once you find good team members, it sounds smart to take Tonya's advice about how to keep them. Visit DentalPost.net for more information.

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About the Author

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD | Chief Editor

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected]