For dental practices, staffing shortages can significantly impact business. It can affect the quality of patient care, practice efficiency, and overall profitability. There are effective methods that can help you resolve staffing shortages in your Kansas City dental practice. The techniques we discuss are not just to-do items to check off on a list. They operate at a higher level by understanding what your practice offers to employees, how you can communicate that message to the right audience, and attract and engage candidates who will enhance your business.
Four Techniques Recommended by Dental Staffing Experts to Attract Top-Quality Candidates for Your Kansas City Practice
If attracting top-quality candidates to your Kansas City dental practice is a priority, consider these four proven techniques. Creating a healthy work environment, improving job postings, contacting dental recruitment firms, and offering incentives and benefits are effective methods for attracting quality dental candidates. Investing in your culture and values can attract and retain top-quality talent, leading to successful and efficient dental practice. Some of the most effective methods to attract and retain talent include:
Attract Quality Dental Candidates by Promoting a Healthy Work Environment
A healthy work environment is crucial for attracting and retaining top-quality dental candidates. A healthy work environment includes not only physical aspects, such as cleanliness and safety, but also factors like open communication, a positive culture, and work-life balance. When dental candidates consider a job offer, they evaluate the salary and benefits and what they can expect their workday to be like. A healthy work environment can help your practice stand out from the competition and attract the best talent.
What Factors Go Into a Healthy Work Environment?
Overall, a healthy work environment prioritizes the well-being of its employees and fosters a culture of respect, support, and growth. Consider how your practice stacks up.
Clear Communication: A healthy work environment promotes open and transparent communication channels where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions, ideas, and concerns.
Supportive Workplace Culture: A culture of respect and support is necessary to promote healthy work relationships and teamwork. It involves treating everyone fairly and equitably, promoting diversity and inclusiveness, and fostering a positive atmosphere.
Resources and Support: Employees require adequate resources, tools, and support to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively. A healthy work environment provides employees with the necessary resources and support to carry out their duties. They may prefer options like contract-to-hire or per-diem jobs.
Physical and Psychological Safety: A healthy work environment ensures the safety and well-being of its employees, both physically and psychologically. This includes providing a safe workplace, appropriate safety equipment, and a supportive work environment that promotes mental health and well-being.
Improve Job Postings to Attract Dental Candidates
Remember that the purpose of a job post is to market the role and the company to potential job candidates. Employers often make the error of posting a boring job description or a list of requirements that reads like a list of demands. A dental assistant, for example, knows the typical job duties. Anyone unsure can simply read the BLS description of what dental assistants do, so there’s no need to waste a lot of space on standard tasks unless your practice has unusual requirements.
Strike a balance between being specific enough to attract qualified candidates and being too specific, which can limit the candidate pool. Avoid using technical jargon and keep the post general enough to attract a diverse pool of candidates. Highlight the benefits of working for your practice, such as growth opportunities, a supportive team, and a positive work environment. Discuss compensation and perks, such as training, career advancement, flexible scheduling, positive workplace culture, paid vacation, and retirement benefits, if any. Avoid being so specific in your request that potential applicants will move to the next job post.
Instead, focus on the perks that set you apart or the qualities you need in your next hire. For example, if your practice philosophy is one of gentle dentistry where you cater to fearful patients, stress in the post that candidates you will consider for the position must have empathy and patience. On the other hand, if you are known for efficiency and getting patients in and out quickly, gear the language in your post to those who pride themselves on moving quickly while avoiding errors. Don’t use overused like “fast-pace-work environment,” which has no real meaning. Tell them why you are looking for speed and accuracy. You will attract people who thrive in this environment and deter those who do not.
Reach out to a Dental Recruitment Firm
Running a dental practice can be time-consuming and demanding. Finding qualified dental candidates to join your team can be even more challenging. A dental recruitment firm can help alleviate the stress of recruiting and hiring by providing access to a pool of qualified candidates actively seeking job opportunities. They also have the expertise and experience to identify candidates who are a good fit for your practice culture and values. By using a dental recruitment service, you can focus on running your practice and leave the hiring process to the professionals.
Offer Incentives and Benefits to Dental Candidates
Offering incentives and benefits can help attract and retain top-quality dental candidates. Offering flexible schedules, remote work options, and work-life balance are becoming increasingly important to job seekers. Dental practices can also offer continuing education opportunities, mentorship programs, and growth opportunities to incentivize potential candidates. These benefits not only attract candidates but also increase employee satisfaction and retention.
Work-Life Balance: Flexible scheduling can help attract and retain staff. If you’re having trouble filling a full-time job, consider splitting the role into two part-time positions. A 9 am to 3 pm shift might appeal to parents of school-age children. If your practice remains open for extended hours, night-owl candidates might like evening hours.
Professional Development Opportunities: Employees want to develop skills and advance their careers. A healthy work environment provides ample opportunities for employees to learn new skills, grow professionally, and advance within the organization.
Cross-training and professional development opportunities can help mitigate staffing shortages by allowing your current staff to take on additional responsibilities and build new skills. Training can help you address staffing shortages and foster a culture of learning and growth in your practice.
Fair Compensation and Benefits: Offering competitive compensation and benefits is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified staff. Conduct market research to ensure your practice’s compensation package is competitive with other practices in the Kansas City area. Consider offering benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Fair compensation and comprehensive benefits packages demonstrate your commitment to employee well-being.
Employee Referral Program: If you’re looking for a win-win, you can’t go wrong with an employee referral program with a cash bonus. You can increase the chance of finding the right fit for your team and demonstrate confidence in your current staff’s ability to identify and recommend qualified candidates.
If you’re unsure what will motivate and delight candidates, just ask! Your current employees are your best source of what new candidates will love. Send out an employee satisfaction survey. Ask them about their preferences and give them opportunities to provide information on what they want moving forward.
How Can a Dental Staffing Agency Assist with a Staffing Shortage?
Because a dental staffing agency focused on providing staffing solutions to dental practices, they can help address staffing shortages caused by leaves of absence, busy periods, rapid growth or increased patient volume. Dental staffing agencies in Kansas City offer a range of services for employers to choose from, including contract-to-hire, per-diem staffing, and direct hire staffing.
Contract-to-Hire or Per-diem
Contract-to-hire staffing allows dental practices to hire temporary staff on a trial basis with the option to offer them a full-time position at the end of the contract period. This service is ideal for dental practices that are unsure of their long-term staffing needs or are experiencing temporary staffing shortages. Per-diem staffing provides dental practices with temporary staff for short periods, such as a day or a few days. This service is suitable for practices that require temporary staffing coverage due to unexpected absences, vacations, or increased patient volumes.
Direct Hire Staffing
Direct hire staffing is a service that allows dental practices to outsource their recruitment and hiring process to a dental staffing agency. The agency sources, screens, and interviews candidates, presenting the dental practice with a shortlist of qualified candidates. This service is ideal for dental practices experiencing long-term staffing shortages or seeking to fill a critical role within their organization.
Get Connected with Our Dental Staffing Agency in Kansas City to Help Fulfill Your Search for Top Quality Talent
Our dental staffing agency has a pool of qualified candidates who are pre-screened and vetted, saving the dental practice time and resources. We have the expertise to identify and match candidates to the unique needs and culture of your dental practice, ensuring the candidates hired are a good fit and prepared to contribute to the overall success of your business. Our dental recruiting specialists provide staffing solutions that are flexible and scalable, allowing dental practices to adjust their staffing needs based on patient volumes and business needs.
You can browse our current Talent Showcase here.
Why Choose The AGA Group™ for Dental Hiring and Recruiting?
Because we specialize in dental recruitment services, you can rest assured the resumes we present represent top candidates we have thoroughly evaluated and determined to be the best fit for your open opportunity. You’ll gain access to qualified dental assistants who have been screened, interviewed, and vetted to ensure they possess the skills and experience to make a positive impact on your team.
Get Started With Us Today
Trust The AGA Group™ when you need dental recruiting services to find dentists and dental assistants in the greater Kansas City area. Contact us today.
