Here’s How To Rebuild Team Culture and Patient Trust If Your Practice Is Feeling Disconnected

Creating the Ideal Culture for Your Dental Practice

One of the most important aspects of running a dental practice is maintaining a healthy culture. Every dental practice faces challenges at one time or another, whether due to team changes, burnout, or communication breakdowns.

Here are some strategies you can implement to get through tough periods and build a stronger dental team culture.

Start with open, honest communication.

Communication is key in every aspect of running your practice, whether the goal is to improve patient trust, boost team morale, or both. If you’re having issues with your team, it could be due to a lack of communication. Providing a more open atmosphere can help you better identify and address any hang-ups.

Holding team meetings to discuss potential concerns is a direct method for promoting change. It’s important to make it clear that these meetings shouldn’t focus on blame but rather on establishing what’s working and what isn’t.

You should always offer space for feedback in general, not just during dedicated meetings. Encourage your team to provide their unique insights and draw from their experiences to find a way to move forward that works for everyone. Doing so will create a better environment overall, leading to a happier team and more satisfied patients.

Reconnect through daily check-ins.

One of the best ways to build rapport with your team is to perform daily check-ins. Morning huddles, for example, will help you align with your team on key goals and improve focus.

You can also take this time to share wins and show that you value and recognize your team. This type of involvement will foster an environment where your team members can support one another effectively, leading to a smoother experience running your dental practice.

In addition to daily check-ins, strive to keep communication clear and consistent throughout the day. Immediately bring your team up to speed on any changes to make sure everyone is (and stays) on the same page.

Manage stress together.

Dental practice stress is a serious threat to smooth operations. No matter what role they occupy, each of your team members faces routine stress that can be made worse if it isn’t addressed and managed the right way.

It’s important to emphasize stress as a shared challenge that your practice faces collectively rather than a personal weakness. Acknowledge your team’s difficulties and work with them to find solutions. Managing stress is vital not just for your team’s well-being but also to ensure that it doesn’t bleed over into the patient experience.

You can also consider implementing small stress-relief practices at work. Scheduling time for short breaks or activities like group walks can greatly improve the day-to-day atmosphere at your practice.

If you’re curious about how to reduce stress in other ways, rotating reset times for team members can keep them feeling energized and positive without impacting your operations.

Use small gestures to rebuild trust.

Your team needs to feel valued and respected in order to maintain their morale and pride in their work. Taking small steps is a great way to get started and make ongoing progress. Think bigger than simple verbal acknowledgement—consider giving out handwritten thank-you notes or congratulations when team members go above and beyond.

Surprise treats can be another way to build trust with your team. In such a stressful profession, it’s good to know that there are pleasant surprises on the horizon. This could be as simple as special snacks or an occasional celebratory lunch.

Don’t forget that you need to build trust with patients, too. Have a warm, sincere check-in process, take time to remember personal details, and don’t forget to make follow-up calls after appointments.

Let the cultural shift happen gradually.

You don’t have to implement all of these strategies at once. Instead, recognize that rebuilding trust takes time. Focus on the progress you can make today instead of stalling in pursuit of perfectionism.

One of the best things you can do is to focus on the positive. Celebrate improvements and reinforce positive behaviors to make them stick. Negative reinforcement will only harm your dental practice culture, so be mindful in all of your interactions with your team.

Take the first step to improve your dental team culture.

Improving team morale and building patient trust are critical for long-term dental practice success. Whether your focus is on communication, stress management, or thoughtful gestures, you can start working on enhancing your dental team culture today. Small victories and consistent progress will benefit your practice, your team, and your patients.

If you’re looking to take the next supportive step, consider offering orthodontic courses for team members. Showing that you’re willing to invest in their skills and career advancement will convey a sense of value and belonging among your team. Browse our course offerings to find your team’s next continuing education opportunity.