Training dental staff is an important investment for any practice and for every person within the practice. It can create employee loyalty by:
- making employees feel valued
- improving job satisfaction
- fostering teamwork and communication
- improving retention rates.
Investing in dental staff development can have long-term benefits for your employees and your dental practice as a whole. It is important to regularly assess the training and development needs of your staff and implement programs and incentives that will help them grow and succeed in their careers. By doing so, you can create a loyal and committed workforce that is dedicated to providing high-quality care to your patients.
Training dental staff has many benefits, including creating employee satisfaction, helping to foster a positive work environment, and improving retention rates for employees and patients in your practice.
Employee Satisfaction
One reason why training dental staff creates employee loyalty is that it helps employees feel valued and invested in by their employer. When an employee is given the opportunity to learn new skills and advance their knowledge, they feel their employer is invested in their future and helping them grow as a professional.
Another reason why training can improve employee loyalty is that it can improve job satisfaction. When employees are trained in the latest techniques and technologies, they are better equipped to do their job effectively and efficiently. This can lead to increased satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in their work, which can make them more loyal to their employer. Chances are, when staff are satisfied with their performance and their environment at work, leading your staff and operating your practice becomes less stressful.
Patient Satisfaction
In addition to the benefits you and your staff will see, training dental staff can also help to improve patient satisfaction. According to a survey from 2020, the main reason a patient stays with a dental practice is because of the trust they’ve built with the dentist and office staff. When dental staff are well-trained, they are able to provide high-quality care to patients, which can lead to increased patient satisfaction and loyalty to the practice. This can be especially important in a competitive market where patients have many options for dental care.
To be truthful, visits to the dentist aren’t typically the most soothing and stress-free occasions. When patients sense that you and your staff are confident and relaxed, they’re more likely to feel confident and relaxed. When patients feel relaxed, and your staff is developing positive relationships, you’re setting the stage to create a patient who continues their care with you.
Positive Environment
Teamwork and communication are a crucial element of working in any environment, but especially crucial in a dental office. Enhanced training can help to improve teamwork and communication among dental staff. When everyone is trained in the same techniques and protocols, it can create a more cohesive and effective team. When team members can frequently and effectively collaborate, it fosters a sense of loyalty among team members.
Team members that feel loyalty towards each other and are able to work effectively with each other create a positive overall office environment. Working in high-stress environments can cause quick burnout and dissension between coworkers, which could lead to high turnover rates, increased costs, and decreased quality patient care for your practice in the future.
Loyalty and Retention
Extra training and education allow employees opportunities to be promoted within your company or practice, which saves time and money. You’re more likely to retain staff members when your employees feel that they are learning and growing in their positions. When staff know they can advance from their position, they are less likely to leave for a new opportunity. This can benefit both the employee and the employer, as it reduces turnover costs and helps the company maintain a stable and skilled workforce.
In the past, employers may have been reluctant to offer training for fear that staff may take their skills somewhere else, but this mentality ultimately works against them. If your staff aren’t being trained, they can’t live up to their full potential. If employees aren’t functioning at their highest ability, your dental practice isn’t benefiting.
Training and skill development doesn’t begin and end with clinical staff. Building trust and relationships with patients begins with front office staff, so your clerical supports are just as crucial to your team as those assisting with medical care.
If you’re looking for high-quality and meaningful training for your employees, look no further than Strategic Practice Solutions (SPS) Dental Academy. We provide training from experienced professionals with small class sizes and positive supports in place to ensure your staff are gaining the skills they need to be an asset to your dental staff and provide the best possible patient care.
Strategic Practice Solutions, LLC