Dental practices used to exist autonomously, in their own little worlds. The same team of dental office employees would remain committed to the job for two decades or more. Personal and professional lives would become intertwined. Dentists would give in to over-the-top requests like paying out personal loans or babysitting hygienist’s children. Dental office employees functioned and interacted as an extended family.
With ever-changing and evolving technologies, the landscape of dental practices must acclimate to modern times. Too often dentists fail to protect their interests until the damage is done, and a dishonest employee wreaks havoc on dental office operations.
Simple Upfront Procedures and Documentation
Take the time needed to ensure your dental practice hires an accountable and trustworthy staff.
- Sign a Non-Disclosure and Non-Compete Agreement
Construct a non-disclosure form for all office workers, and a non-compete agreement for hygienists and dental staff to view and sign. This document clearly states that if a dental office employee resigns for any reason that person; will not recruit current patients, will not inform patients of their departure, and will not tell patients where they will be working. When a dental practice is sold, staff attrition is common. Employees don’t always stick around for the changing of the guard.
Dental assistants and hygienists take pride in fostering long-term, caring connections with patients. Many feel a sense of responsibility regarding the relationship. Routine oral hygiene accounts for close to 30 percent of all business in a dental practice. You can’t afford to led hygienists lower the value of your business or negatively impact revenue because they leave feeling disgruntled.
- Perform Criminal Background Checks
Running criminal background checks on prospective employees is a common HR procedure. This holds true across industries to provide a comprehensive history of job candidates. This is a great tool for finding the most ethical and reliable dental staff. Although some dentists may consider a background check as over-the-top, it is a necessary step to protect your practice. Omitting this step may result in poor hiring decisions and could possibly endanger you and your staff.
- Document All Employees Have Received & Agreed to the Office Employee Manual
Your dental office employee manual is a synopsis of all procedures and employee expectations including, dress code, OSHA compliance, dental HIPAA laws, standard conduct, etc. To ensure employee compliance, each staff member should be given a copy of the dental office manual and provide a signature upon receipt. These simple steps will help you manage employee/HR issues if problems arise.