If you’re like many dental practices throughout the country, you may still be recovering from the “Great Resignation” during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. When over 50 million workers left their jobs in 2021 and 2022, many businesses, including dental offices, struggled with hiring and keeping their employees, particularly with those who handle dental billing. If you want to overcome and avoid hiring and retention issues, you need the following information.
Why Is Hiring and Retaining Dental Billing Staff Hard?
Cited as some of the top reasons for quitting jobs, low pay, limited opportunities for advancement or challenges, as well as bad work environment and poor leadership have motivated employees to seek another job. Although this information reflects the workforce in general, many of the same findings can apply to why team members have left dental practices.
How Can I Make Hiring & Retaining Dental Billing Staff Easier?
You can’t always predict every employee’s situation, but you can make your practice more appealing to work in and stay through several methods.
Be Clear about the Job Description
In your job listing, clearly state your expectations and job roles you want this person to fill. Do you want them to also pitch in occasionally with certain tasks or responsibilities? Inform them upfront of this possibility. Is there something that makes your practice unique? Are you looking for someone with a particular personality type? Make sure to mention the details of what you want, but also make it clear that you are willing to offer opportunities for growth.
Look for Specific Skills
Not feeling supported or heard was another common reason for quitting in several surveys and studies. Although you want to find someone who already possesses experience and skillsets, be prepared to provide opportunities for continuing education for your dental billing staff. That way, they can feel like they are progressing and growing.
Offer Competitive Salary and Benefits
Especially with high tariffs, outrageous inflation, and poor salary raises, employees from every field want to feel more appreciated and valued in their work. To entice your employees to stay, offer them something they may not find at another dental practice, whether it relates to the generous pay, paid time off, medical or dental benefits, or other perks.
Create a Positive Work Culture and Environment
If you want your team to look forward to being there, you need to make your practice an enjoyable place to be, not just for patients but for your employees! Respect and kindness are bare minimum requirements, but efforts to make daily work and special occasions fun can encourage your team to keep coming back.
If you follow these tips, you can bolster your practice against employee turnover. However, with or without consistent staff in your office, you can find reliable dental billing support at a service company like Dental Support Specialties.
About Dental Support Specialties
Whether your team members are sick, take vacation time, or leave your office entirely, Dental Support Specialties can fill in any administrative need, including dental billing, insurance verification, call answering, and more. If your dental practice needs extra help with staffing, give us a call and see which services can best help your business succeed.