Creating a Team Environment

Do you need to jumpstart your office with a new attitude? Try looking at each member of your team as an individual and appreciate what each is able to contribute to the office, as well as to the overall success of the business. Encourage teambuilding and create an atmosphere of respect at all levels.

Teamwork and cooperation are the core of success. Without compassion and trust for one another, people cannot work together as teams, nor are they able to work at their highest potential. When fear is present, individuals work harder at protecting their security and their image than in conducting creative, productive, and consistent work activities.

Find out more at:
http://dannabeal.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/compassion-in-the-workplace/

Written by Marsha Hatfield-Elwell, Recruiter at ETS Dental. You can reach Marsha at (540) 491-9116 or melwell@etdental.com. Check us out at www.etsdental.com.

Great Tips and Words of Wisdom from your Dental Colleagues in Indianapolis!

See the link below for the full story.

For the current student and new graduate:
1. Learn more about the business of dentistry.
2. Take CE classes outside of the dental school to gain a real world perspective.
3. Begin the search for a position earlier and look at more out-of-state opportunities.
4. Know what you want to gain out of your first position (ie. partnership, hours, mentorship, compensation etc.) and look beyond the financial incentives.
5. Talk to as many dentists as you can before getting out of school.

For the practicing dentist or practice owner:
1. Join the local Chamber of Commerce
2. On partnerships, focus on your relationship with your potential partner. Do you genuinely enjoy their company and feel they have your best interest at heart?
3. Hire staff for attitude and integrity.
4. Talk to dentists you know about everything from equipment and staffing to financial planning.
5. Keeping average employees too long instead of recruiting the best.

http://www.indydentalsociety.org/pictures/DatelineSpring2010.pdf


Written by Rob Knezovich, Recruiter at ETS Dental. You can reach Rob at (540) 491-9107 or rknez@etsdental.com. Find out more at www.etsdental.com.

Owner Dentist seeks more vacation, shared responsibilities, and a structured plan for retirement.

The solution to this problem may be entering into a partnership with another dentist. Partnership can be a great opportunity for owner dentists to share responsibilities, give the freedom to take additional time off and create a structured plan for your retirement. Finding the right person to partner with is a very important part of this process, but there must also be a documented plan for building and maintaining this relationship.

In my experience as a dental recruiter, I often run across Associates who have spent several years working as a successful member of a group practice but left disappointed because they were offered the opportunity to buy-in to the practice only after they played a significant role in growing the practice to its current size. When this happens, the owner loses a valuable member of the team and the Associate often becomes discouraged and skeptical about joining another practice.

The key to avoiding this as an owner dentist is to have a detailed, documented plan in place when you hire the Associate. This process is not limited to, but should include:

· Having an appraisal done prior to the Associate joining the practice

· Documenting the payment terms and timeline for the buy-in

· Helping the Associate build their patient base as they are starting out

· Establishing your goals and timeline for retirement up-front

· Discussing management styles and clinical philosophies before you hire him/her

· Being an effective communicator

· Understanding the Associate's personal and professional goals

Establishing a partnership is not an easy thing to do, but the hard work will definitely be worth it as it can allow you to share some of the burdens associated with managing and running a business and significantly reduce the stress of ownership. With this freedom you can enjoy more quality time with family and relax knowing that you have a plan for the future.


Written by Marcia Patterson, Dental Recruiter at ETS Dental. You can reach Marcia at (540) 491-9118 or mpatterson@etsdental.com. Find out more at www.etsdental.com.

What To Do and Not To Do At A Job Interview

Why is it that some people stand out more in an interview? What are those people doing, or not doing, that makes them make a more favorable impression? The following article has some great tips for your next interview and some humorous real life examples of interview blunders.

http://www.howtonailaninterview.com/


Written by Tiffany Worstell, Dental Staff Recruiter at ETS Dental. You can reach Tiffany at (540) 491-9112 or tworstell@etsdental.com. Find out more at www.etsdental.com.

Job Seeker Tips for New Dental Graduates and Residents

By Carl Guthrie

New Dental graduates are officially entering the job market this month, and Dental Residents are completing their programs in just a few more weeks.  Here are a few tips and reminders. 

1.  New associates need to understand that private practices vary widely in the ways they are operated.  The owners that are successful and need to hire are obviously successful and have a system that works for them.  If this is the first associate hire for the owner, things will change as progress is made along the learning curve.  If the practice has had a successful run with associates in the past, then the owner will most likely be less adaptable since he/she knows what type of doctor works out.

2.  Do not rely on everything you heard in dental school.  New doctors do not make $120,000 or more in every practice.  Some earn $90,000 or less.  There are many schools of thought across the country of how an associate agreement should be created.  Be prepared for contradictions of what you think you know.

3.  Owners are focused on what you, as an associate, will do for the practice.  A job seeker needs to always be aware that he/she is selling something to a prospective employer.  The owner in many areas has some choices in who to hire, or the owner is in a position to wait for who he/she believes is the “right fit.”  When applying and/or interviewing for positions, present what you as a potential associate will bring to the table in terms of skills, production, philosophies, and work ethic.  Do not jump to what the practice will do for you.  You must create YOUR value first.

4.  Return the phone call.  You still cannot get a job or an interview by solely email or text message.  If you get a call back in regards to a position then you must return that call ASAP. 

5.  You cannot overdress.  Got the interview? Wear a coat and tie.  No excessive jewelry, perfume/cologne, or facial hair.  Use common sense in your preparation here.

6.  Check your ego at the door.  Owners want to hire a confident associate, but they do not want to hire one that is overly confident or conceited.  Be grateful for the interview.

7.  All the bells and whistles do not make the practice.  We all like shiny new things and the latest technologies, but some practice have not quite made that leap yet.  This does not mean it is automatically a bad deal.  I have seen most, if not all, associate deals break because of personality conflicts or philosophical differences.  Never have I heard a doctor quit because the practice did not have digital x-ray.

8.  You and all your dentist friends will not find employment in the same city.  The most popular cities are often the hardest places to find employment.  Even though you believe a certain area is a great place to live, you still need to research the potential of finding a job before making your final relocation decision.

Carl Guthrie is the Western Region Recruiter and Account Executive for ETS Dental.  He can be reached at cguthrie@etsdental.com or 540-491-9104.