6 Things Growing a Dental Team Teaches You About Leadership

Best tips for developing your leadership skills today. 

As your dental team continues to grow, you need to pay close attention to your role as a dental practice leader in order to find long-term success. Even if you have the best clinical skills around, you need leadership skills, too. When you continue to develop the ways you manage people, handle communication, and present vision, your business can truly become successful inside and out.

Here are six things you’ll learn about leadership while growing a dental team.

1. You Can’t Do Everything Yourself

In order to become an excellent dental team leader, you’ll need to depend on your team. To run a successful practice, you’ll have to develop the right mindset to delegate effectively.

As your dental team grows, gaining trust for and with your team is absolutely essential. You only have so many hours in the day, and there are certain tasks that only you, as a practicing dentist, can handle. Spending time outside that unique domain can quickly lead to bottlenecks in your caseload.

Instead, set your dental team up for success by ensuring they have what they need to excel in their individual roles. Trust in the knowledge and experience they’ve developed as your practice has grown, and don’t be afraid to let them expand their skills and put them to good use.

2. Communication Has to Be Clear and Consistent

Communication is critical for any dental team. With many overlapping roles, you can’t afford to let miscommunication or misunderstandings drag your practice down. Clear and frequent communication prevents this problem and also helps your employees feel engaged.

Make use of deliberate systems to ensure that your team is always on the same page. Daily huddles with all team members can be a great start and provide an opportunity for staff members to voice any updates or concerns. Be open to feedback from your team to improve systems and address issues along the way.

Having effective systems, whether written or digital, is also essential. Make sure that everyone has easy access to schedules and other operational details.

3. Every Team Member Learns Differently

Continuous learning is essential when you want to develop a strong team, but individual employees may have vastly different needs when it comes to taking in new information—one person may need a hands-on approach, while another may prefer to read a book to learn about a new subject.

Every team member will also come to the table with their own life experience and skills. Ask your staff how they learn best, which topics they feel they have special expertise in, and where they would like to grow in their abilities.

Adapting and personalizing your coaching makes the learning process easier and more effective. This applies to in-house training and external opportunities, such as orthodontic continuing education courses.

4. Culture Is Created Intentionally (or Not at All)

Your team requires a clear understanding of the values that define your practice. They need to know what you’re committed to and the standards you uphold. This takes deliberate effort in terms of strategy, communication, and action.

As the leader of your dental team, you are responsible for setting goals for patient care, personal growth, and integrity. Laying these values out clearly and updating your team on progress will keep these concepts fresh in the minds of your team members. Make sure to demonstrate those values in your own conduct, as well, as your team looks to you as a role model.

5. Hiring Smart Matters More Than Hiring Fast

Hiring for dental teams is always a challenge, whether you’re responding to ongoing growth or addressing turnover. The best strategy is to take your time when hiring to make sure you’ve found the right match. Rushing through the process can lead to team members who aren’t a great fit for your culture.

Ensure that any new employees align with the vision and values of your practice. Experience and education are essential as well, but you can’t overlook the importance of individual values and how a new employee will fit into your existing team.

6. Leadership Is a Skill, Not a Title

You may be the leader of your dental practice by default, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to become stronger and more effective at it over time. True leadership requires an ongoing commitment to developing your skills and adapting your methods.

You must have the humility to change when necessary and the willingness to grow alongside your team. Leadership isn’t a problem that you solve once. It’s a continuous challenge that requires deliberate effort on a regular basis.

Become a True Dental Practice Leader

Achieving effective leadership is an ongoing journey. However, you don’t have to face it alone. Become a member of the American Orthodontic Society to join a network of peers across all stages of their professional journeys, developing new skills and growing your practice.