The dental industry faces a significant challenge in hiring and retaining qualified staff. This issue threatens practice growth, positive culture, patient & employee satisfaction, and sustainability.
Common barriers to talent acquisition and employee retention include high salary expectations, premature advancement requests, poor office culture and team engagement, and ineffective recruiting strategies. Gen4 Dental Partners recognizes the importance of addressing these concerns and is committed to finding and implementing solutions for their partners.
Today's younger dentists and clinical staff often have higher salary expectations and seek rapid career advancement. Influenced by modern education and ambitious career aspirations, they may overestimate their value. Managing these expectations is crucial for employee retention, engagement and satisfaction, and organizational stability. Gen4 emphasizes the importance of establishing realistic growth plans and career trajectories for all team members. Gen4’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Mitch Ellingson, shared in a recent interview: “In the dental industry, nurturing talent isn't just about filling positions; it's about cultivating a culture where every team member thrives. At Gen4, we recognize the pivotal role of realistic growth plans and structured pathways in retaining and engaging our staff.” Structured programs such as their Pathway to Partnership and Individual Growth Engine (IGE) are offered to facilitate skill development and demonstrate the correlation between proficiency and income growth. Gen4’s leadership helps team members understand the steps needed to achieve their career goals by outlining clear paths for advancement and guiding them through the process.
The staggering turnover rates in dental practices can be attributed to various factors, including poor office culture, inadequate leadership & support, and lack of training and investment in staff development. Gen4 addresses this head-on by prioritizing strong practice cultures and implementing strategies to enhance job satisfaction and promote long-term retention. Executive team members aim to create positive work environments that encourage staff loyalty and engagement by providing ongoing support, superior leadership, and growth opportunities at each level. “To combat turnover in dental practices, we must address not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes. By prioritizing strong cultures, supportive leadership, and continuous development, Gen4 aims to build lasting relationships with our team members and pave the way for sustainable success in the industry" – Mitch Ellingson, DDS.
Gen4's HR department and talent acquisition team play pivotal roles in the recruitment and retention of staff. Leveraging their expertise, these teams implement strategies to attract top talent and support long-term retention efforts. By fostering solid relationships with employees and providing personalized support at each practice, staff members feel valued and supported throughout their tenure.
Gen4 offers numerous benefits, including access to training and numerous growth opportunities. They utilize their resources to provide guidance, support, and specialized training programs tailored to all positions within their practices. By leveraging the collective expertise of a larger organization, Gen4 helps practices overcome staffing challenges and achieve success. Focusing on sustainability and success, they pave the way for a brighter future in the dental industry.