Dental staffing issues? This practice found solutions in an unexpected place
Finding and retaining qualified professionals has become a major challenge in today’s business landscape. As a business operations manager in a Massachusetts dental office, I’ve experienced first-hand the shifts in the hiring environment since the pandemic. What was once a straightforward process of finding employees has become a much more costly and difficult endeavor, impacted by rising hourly rates, candidate expectations, and the increasing costs of hiring platforms.
The pandemic left a lasting mark on all facets of business operations, but none more so than on the hiring process. Prior to 2020, hiring practices were relatively consistent and predictable. One could post a job, expect a steady flow of qualified candidates, and negotiate wages within a reasonable range.
Today, that predictability is gone. Not only are we dealing with fewer candidates, but the ones who are available hold more leverage than ever before. As a result, the competition for skilled workers is intense, and candidates now dictate the terms of employment, especially when it comes to compensation.
Changes in hiring since the pandemic
One of the most significant changes I’ve seen is the rapid increase in hourly wages. Health-care workers such as dental hygienists and dental assistants are commanding higher salaries than in prepandemic times. The surge in demand has shifted the balance of power, giving candidates the upper hand in wage negotiations.
In my work at Feeley Dental and Associates, I’ve had to adapt quickly to these changes. In today’s market, candidates have very specific expectations, and in many cases, these are non-negotiable. This presents many challenges for small practices like ours, which operate within tight financial margins.
I often find us torn between meeting the candidate’s demands or risk leaving key positions unfilled, which can directly impact our ability to provide quality care. In addition to rising wages, employers are also struggling with the cost and effectiveness of hiring platforms. Job search engines and online platforms, which were once seen as cost-effective solutions for reaching a large pool of candidates, have become increasingly expensive.
Platforms such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn charge premium rates for job postings, and many offer additional services that promise to increase visibility. The fees associated with these platforms can add up quickly, and as a result, businesses are left questioning the value they’re receiving. We’ve had to carefully weigh the benefits of using these platforms against the costs. Are we getting high-quality candidates who meet our job descriptions?
More often than not, we find ourselves sifting through resumés that don’t match the criteria of the position we want to fill. Even when using the most detailed and specific job postings, we often encounter candidates who either overestimate their qualifications or fail to meet the minimum requirements. This mismatch has become a frustrating and recurring issue.
Our out-of-the box solution
We turned to social media and joined groups to vent our frustrations, only to find many others are having the same problems. Talking to others in these groups, we became aware of more grassroot efforts to start job opportunity platforms. It became obvious to us that this is what we needed to do, so we started a Facebook group, Smiles In Demand, to serve as a free platform to connect employers and potential employees.
The best thing about doing this is it’s for our communities and tailored to our profession with no middleman and no fees! Consequently, we’ve had to rethink our approach to ensure we’re attracting the right candidates. We’ve explored alternative avenues for sourcing candidates, such as tapping into professional networks, communicating with local educational institutions, and offering internships and training programs that can help develop talent in-house. By being proactive and creative, we hope to overcome the current hiring challenges and build a strong, dedicated team for the future of our practice.
The challenges we face in hiring today are not unique to our practice and they reflect broader shifts in the job market. As employers, we must adapt to this new reality by being flexible in our hiring practices and compensation strategies. For Feeley Dental and Associates, this has meant rethinking our approach to recruitment.
We’re focusing more on creating an attractive work environment that goes beyond just offering competitive wages. Benefits such as flexible working hours, opportunities for professional development, and a positive workplace culture have become essential tools in attracting and retaining talent.
While today’s challenges are daunting, they also present an opportunity for innovation. By staying flexible, focusing on team needs, and adjusting recruitment strategies, we can navigate this complex environment and continue to provide the highest level of care for patients.
