Getting More From the Assistant You Already Have

The dental assistant you wish you could hire may already be working in your practice.

We all want that assistant who knows what we need before we ask, keeps the day moving, connects with patients, and makes dentistry feel easier. But those assistants usually are not just found. They are developed. If we want someone to become incredibly valuable to us, we have to invest in the training, communication, and relationship that gets them there.

If you want a stronger assistant, focus on these three things:

1. Train them yourself
   If you want your assistant to understand how you think, how you work, and how you want patients cared for, spend time teaching them directly.

2. Keep developing their skills
   Experience alone does not equal growth. Give them opportunities to learn more, take on more, and become more valuable to the practice.

3. Talk to them and appreciate them
   Ask what they want to learn, what frustrates them, and how you can work better together. And when they do a great job, tell them.

A great dental assistant can completely change the rhythm of your day. Instead of wondering where you can find a better one, start by looking at what the person already beside you could become.

If you have ever wished your assistant could anticipate more, take more ownership, or simply make the day run smoother, the conversation below may give you a different way to think about developing them.

P.S. Better teams are built by developing the people you already have, and that is a big part of what we’ll be working on at our next DPH Retreat in October. It is coming up quickly, and space is limited. We’ll spend focused time on leadership, systems, and helping your team perform at a higher level so the practice runs smoother without everything depending on you. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time to grab your spot. Click HERE for more information.