Road to Recovery:COVID-19 Info Hub
DentalPost Blog
Articles for job seekers and employers in the Dental Industry
Managing Stress In The New Dental Normal
July 28, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when we control it, instead of the other way around, we feel better and have better life outcomes. Having seen patients this week and understanding what working in today’s dentist offices requires, I felt compelled to sit down and write to my dental community friends and colleagues […]
Are You Asking the Right Interview Questions?
July 20, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
How to Prepare for Dental Job Interview Questions Post-Covid Before Covid-19 hit and effectively shut down dental operations, the hiring process for the dental industry had remained unchanged for decades. But today, it’s a different workplace with new rules, new processes, and one that now requires adjustments for job seekers and dental employers. New job […]
How to Write a Job Description for the Covid-19 World
July 9, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
The world has changed. Your job posting needs to change with it. With dental professionals in short supply and high demand, attracting candidates is critical to your practice running smoothly and getting back to business. Making sure your job description resonates with potential candidates in the current climate is paramount. Today’s job posting should be […]
Use a “Growth Mindset” to Be Ready for Your Dental Comeback!
April 29, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
Do You Have a Comeback Mindset? When the doors to your practice open, will you be ready? Will you be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with team members who are ready? Our ability to innovate and find new operational efficiencies is critical, but perhaps more critical to our comeback success is our “growth mindset.” Belief systems, both conscious […]
Emotional Intelligence: The Key To A Smooth Comeback
April 27, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
As dental professionals, our education prepares and trains us for all sorts of situations and potential disruptions in our practices. We know how to adjust the schedule and skip lunch because one of our patients just broke a tooth or walked in with an abscess that needs immediate attention. But are we trained to handle […]
Dentists Dish: Staying Connected Through Virtual Huddles
April 21, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
In a recent blog, we talked about the importance of a weekly team huddle. This week, we checked in with Dentists about what is working in their virtual huddles and wanted to share some of their great tips and advice in breeding confidence and maintaining morale with your team so you’re ready for the COMEBACK! […]
Keeping Your Culture With a Virtual Huddle
March 20, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
A Virtual Huddle is a great idea to help keep everyone unified. Everyone is feeling the uncertainty of how the Covid-19 pandemic will play out. In many cases, you have an opportunity to keep your teams connected, organized, and most importantly, up to date with your practice’s needs and challenges. This is your opportunity to […]
Negotiating Your Next Dental Salary
March 13, 2020
DentalPost
Almost everyone feels like they are in a pressure cooker when it comes to any type of bargaining, and salary negotiation is no exception. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A little knowledge can turn the heat down and give you confidence in this business discussion.
Personality Assessments: DISC
March 10, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
(DISC)overing the Best Candidate For Your Practice Continuing our series on hiring assessments, we’re doing a deep dive into a recruiting tool that is one of my personal favorites–the DISC personality assessment. Personality assessments are invaluable in finding candidates that will be a good team fit. One personality profile isn’t better than another, nor does […]
How to Improve Your Professional Etiquette Game in 7 Steps
March 6, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
Be Successful in Your Job Search Remember those manners you were taught as a child? They probably seemed annoying at the time, but they are more important than you might think. Manners are a huge part of how employers perceive you. So make sure you are putting your best foot forward by utilizing DentalPost’s professional […]
The Hiring Process for a Winning Dental Team
March 2, 2020
Christine Brooke
The Secret Formula to Having Your Dental Dream Team In my previous article, we laid the groundwork for what it will take to successfully hire a winning team. We discussed how critical it is to begin by clearly defining what we want our practice to look like. In this article, we will learn how to […]
Trendspotting with Tonya: Twice Toothpaste
February 17, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
The Toothpaste That’s Changing the World If you know me, you know three of my favorite things to talk about are the dental industry, the entrepreneurial life, and innovations that make our lives and world better. So, I get really excited when I get to talk about all three at the same time! Recently, I […]
Focus on Your Practice Culture to Build Your Dental Dream Team
February 17, 2020
Christine Brooke
Get Ready to Make your Dream Team a Reality Surely, we would all agree, that we could not have a successful practice without patients. And, without a winning team, we could not effectively care for the needs of our patients. Therefore, let’s focus on building a winning team. I’m not referring to any team. Remember, […]
20 Dental Resume Words and Power Phrases to Wow Your Hiring Manager
February 4, 2020
The DentalPost Team
Imagine this situation. You’ve found the perfect job online. Updated your resume. Checked it for spelling and grammar. Compiled your references. Submitted your application before anyone else. Everything is coming together nicely, you think. And then… nothing. No callbacks. No emails. What happened? It looks like your resume didn’t quite inspire the hiring manager, which […]
How (And Why) 2020 Should Be Your Year of Career Growth
January 24, 2020
The DentalPost Team
“New year, new me!” It’s a statement we’ve all heard—or said—before at the turn of the year. It is no surprise that most resolutions (even when they’re made with the best of intentions) are rarely kept. According to INC Magazine, 80% of resolutions don’t make it to mid-February. Yikes. While that might make us feel cynical […]
Time to Move On? 6 Signs it’s Time to Quit… and How to Exit Your Job Gracefully.
January 17, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
Ever leave the office feeling drained or even angry? Do you come home and dump it all on your family and friends? While no job is perfect (they don’t call it work for nothing!), there are offices that are perfect for us. We all have a bad day or week at work but some of […]
Create a More Inviting Dental Practice Reception for Your Patients
January 8, 2020
Katrina Hatchett
Those within the dental profession may have noticed that dentistry doesn’t always promote positive reactions in people. The cliché is that a trip to the dentist is something to be dreaded, with the dentist portrayed as some kind of intimidating practitioner, often utilizing loud implements feared by apprehensive patients. While this may seem like a […]
Do You Belong? 5 Reasons to Join DentalPosters
January 6, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
At DentalPost, we believe there’s strength in numbers and comfort in communities. This is why we’ve created local and national Facebook groups called DentalPosters to help you grow your career by connecting with professionals in your community, learning about trends and hot topics in the field, tapping into growth and development tools, and more. Our […]
Hire Slow. Fire Fast. Know When to Let Go.
January 6, 2020
Tonya Lanthier
The Job Title With No Roadmap Owning your own business comes with so many moving parts. Some are rewarding, while others – like dealing with hiring, managing, and firing people – are a drag. If only there were an instruction manual that they’d hand out at your dental school graduation on all the non-dental jobs […]
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers
December 20, 2019
Doug Perry
As this is a time of year for reflection, I encourage you to set some professional goals for 2020. Raise your virtual hand if you’ve read the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by the late Stephen R. Covey? It’s considered a classic – among the top productivity books ever published. I read Covey’s […]
How to Build a Marketing Culture Within Your Practice
December 20, 2019
Whitney Speir
To continue to grow and thrive, dental practices must invest in marketing. There are many avenues that can be a part of a successful dental marketing strategy, including efforts that can be handled within the office, like blogging, posting on social media, asking for reviews, sharing referral programs and special offers, and more. But… It […]
4 Ways to Improve Your Dental Office Communication with Patients
December 20, 2019
Anica Oaks
Your patients are at the heart of your dental practice. Without their loyalty, you wouldn’t be able to love what you do each and every day. Here are four simple ways you can enhance your communication with your valuable clientele. Use Open-Ended Questions This first tactic is for the face-to-face communication that you have with […]
5 Reasons Your Dental Practice Needs an In-House Membership Program
December 19, 2019
Jeff Cole
Dental practices are increasingly feeling the pressure of declining reimbursement rates on their bottom line. According to a survey by Bankers Healthcare Group, nearly three-quarters of dentists state declining reimbursement rates as their top industry concern. Forward-thinking dental practices are protecting themselves by offering in-house membership plans directly to their patients. Similar to loyalty programs […]
How to Attract and Hire Marketing Rockstars
December 18, 2019
Whitney Speir
Your dental practice’s brand is the total experience patients have with your practice. This encompasses everything from the first look a person has at your website, to their first phone call to your front desk, to their interactions with you and the rest of your team, and more. Therefore, every interaction your team members have […]
How High Is Your EI? Emotional Intelligence is the New “Smart.”
December 13, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
Did you know that your ability to recognize and respond to your emotions can directly tie to your level of success in life? It’s called “Emotional Intelligence” (EI) and it is defined by how aware and in control we are of our emotions, how we express them, and how we handle them. Studies show that emotional […]
The Power of Assessments: Get to Know a Candidate Before You Hire Them
December 2, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
How to narrow down the candidate pool.
4 Networking Tips for Dental Professionals
November 20, 2019
Kara Masterson
Medical and dental professionals should be constantly engaged in a lifelong learning process. There are so many new procedures and treatment options being uncovered on an annual basis that it requires constant vigilance in order to stay on top of it all. This is especially important for dentists. The temptation might be to remain so […]
Hygienist Heroes: The Power to Save Lives
November 15, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
A Brush with Fame Because I am passionate about improving the lives of dental professionals and our industry, I spend a lot of time in airports traveling to conferences to meet with all kinds of dental professionals, including my fellow hygienists. Along the way, I also get to meet interesting people who aren’t in our […]
The Cost of a Bad Hire
November 8, 2019
The DentalPost Team
Can you imagine how (understandably) frustrated your team would be if you hired your mom, wife or girlfriend for a job they were totally unqualified for? While hiring mistakes usually are not that blatant, whenever a new hire is a bust, your trusted employees may feel let down, almost betrayed, that this person is not […]
HIPAA and Dental Records: What Do You Need to Know?
November 8, 2019
Adrian Johansen
Many healthcare professionals forget about the sensitive nature of dental records when it comes to cybersecurity breaches, privacy, and confidentiality. Patient profiles in dental offices contain many of the elements of private health information that are governed by federal law. If you are applying for an administrative or medical records position in the dentistry field, […]
5 Things Employers Are Looking for in New Dental Assistants
October 24, 2019
Anita Ginsburg
If you’re looking for a start in the dental industry, becoming a dental assistant is a wise career choice. You’ll be tackling tasks necessary to running a dental office, like helping patients feel at ease and supporting the dentist during procedures. Also, the dental assistant field is growing, so it’s a safe bet for job […]
DentalPosters and the Impact of Community
October 18, 2019
The DentalPost Team
Working in the dental industry, you can often feel very small in the grand scheme of dental professionals at large. You might have strong relationships with the dental professionals at your practice, but there’s no reason to limit your connections to the practice you’re working with. Here at DentalPost, we wanted to offer a way […]
Be a Boss People Love to Work For
October 11, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
Great bosses do this…
4 Reasons You Should Be Celebrating Customer Service Week
October 7, 2019
The DentalPost Team
Have you ever called a company’s support number only to find yourself stuck navigating dial pad responses and arguing with a robot? These days, getting a real person on the phone at a business is nearly unheard of. Automated phone services, AI messaging, and other prerecorded voice systems have replaced traditional customer service portals. There’s […]
Why I Became a Dental Hygienist
October 4, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
It’s that time of year again – yes, it’s Dental Hygiene Month! For me, it’s an opportunity to reflect on my journey in the dental industry that began 25 years ago, when I first practiced as a registered dental hygienist. My mission of providing the best possible patient care has intensified over the years, and […]
Taking Control of Your Time
October 4, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
Ask yourself, “What do I want?”
6 Skills That Boost Your Chances of Getting a Job in the Dental Industry
September 27, 2019
Daniela McVicker
While some industries are slowing down, the dental industry’s outlook is bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook rates the growth in jobs for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants at “much faster than average.” Besides working in a growing industry, being a dental professional is a truly rewarding profession. However, finding the job […]
The Secret Life of the Dental Office Manager
September 24, 2019
The DentalPost Team
What makes a great manager?
How to Present Your Best Self in a Dental Assistant Job Interview
September 20, 2019
Lizzie Weakley
Making a good first impression is always important during an interview. You need to be able to find ways to set yourself apart from other applicants. There are many ways you can achieve this. For example, you need to be punctual, professional, and knowledgeable about the position. The following information will provide a closer look […]
Compensation Trends for Working Moms
September 13, 2019
The DentalPost Team
Staying on top of labor trends in dentistry is important for everyone, but especially for working moms. A working mom needs to understand what’s happening so she can plan ahead for herself and her family. Here’s the overall picture of what’s popular, what’s on its way out, and what’s next with compensation trends in the […]
4 Must-Ask Interview Questions When Staffing a New Dental Office
September 12, 2019
Kara Masterson
With the dentistry field continuing to evolve, it is important to hire only qualified, trained, and professional staff. If you are responsible for hiring staff in a new medical office, you will want to ensure that a positive tone is set right from the beginning. To do that, you will want to make full use […]
Why Emotional Intelligence is Crucial to Hiring the Right Candidate
September 6, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
What is Emotional Intelligence? How much do I have? The Oxford dictionary defines Emotional Intelligence (EI) as “the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.” Some experts boil this down to balancing what’s in the head and in the heart, and approaching a challenge […]
Don’t Get Ghosted!
August 28, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
In recent years ghosting describes an unsettling end to a relationship–a friend or someone you are dating who suddenly disappears without any explanation at all. Almost like they are dead and never coming back! The “ghosting” phenomenon has made its way into the business world, acknowledged now even by the Federal Reserve as an official […]
3 Reasons Your Claim Keeps Getting Rejected By Insurance
August 28, 2019
Kara Masterson
Health insurance can be tricky to navigate for everyone involved. If your information isn’t exactly correct when you file claims for your patients, the rules involved will cause the claims to be denied and lead to lost time, the patient’s frustration, and extra work for insurance billing adjusters. Here are three of the most common […]
Are job seekers not applying to your job? Here’s how to fix it.
August 23, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
You’re offering a job, so why aren’t you getting applications? You need to figure out why you people are not applying to your ad or showing up to interviews. It is likely a combination of things: You are in competition with many other hiring dental offices. You have to offer something they want. Does your ad […]
Cosmetic Dentistry: On the Rise
August 16, 2019
Dr. Jasmine Naderi
Cosmetic dentistry popularity is on the rise again. In fact, according to the results of a recent survey from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), 96 percent of U.S. laborers feel a beautiful smile is very or somewhat important to your appearance. Psychology experts also suggest that nice smiles create trust, reduce stress, and helps us live a […]
Labor Day. There’s a Temp for that…
August 16, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
tick, tick, tick… Pop quiz for employers, when’s the next time you have a team member going away on vacation? Looking at the calendar, it’s probably Labor Day. You aren’t alone. Roughly 25% of Americans plan to be out of town for Labor Day. Check-in with your staff Always the first Monday in September, almost every […]
Is a Valued Team Member About to Make a Move? How to Recognize the Signs and Steps You Can Take.
August 7, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
Something feels different in the office. It’s hard to describe. The patients are happy, no complaints. The schedule is full, revenue is strong. Internal conflicts among staff are at a minimum. In fact, things are working so well that you’re answering fewer staff questions and requests. These are the situations we all work hard to […]
5 Takeaways from the 2019 RDH Under One Roof Conference
August 6, 2019
Tonya Lanthier
We’re back from another incredible RDH Under One Roof event! This year, we traveled to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas to learn and share alongside our extended RDH family. After hearing from nearly 40 unique speakers, we’re feeling energized about the future of dental hygiene and what our friends in […]
Why Dentists Must Learn to Negotiate
August 1, 2019
The DentalPost Team
Many dentists are learning that good negotiation skills can have a positive impact on their income levels. Dentistry is a competitive field, with many new graduates joining the workforce each year. The American Dental Association (ADA) currently consists of more than 163,000 dentists (and counting). Attending business negotiation workshops can equip you with valuable skills […]