Few careers keep even the most dedicated excited on a daily basis. Getting swept into the more mundane tasks, day after day, can wear on us and in dentistry many procedures are often rinse and repeat: different patient, same insurance issue, same MOD on #19, same 28 teeth to clean, same staff issues to deal with. While we find enjoyment in providing care, interacting with patients and (hopefully) each other, in the end we are all still slaves to the wage we earn- and rely upon.
Break the Mold of Boredom
In our profession, roles are very defined: dentist, hygienist, assistant, front desk. Add in Office Manager and insurance coordinator for larger practices, maybe a “floater” or two. No hygienist or front desk worker can take over the role of dentist, but many other positions can learn one another’s tasks and be ready to pitch in by cross-training. In fact, having cross-trained employees is a boon should someone call off or become swamped so that overall productivity doesn’t diminish. Here are a few ideas to help stave off boredom and harness some excitement:
- As mentioned above, cross-train. Not only will it be a challenge, you’ll expand your skill set, increase your overall value and help one another when needed. Added bonus- you’ll have a new appreciation of what your coworker does and the challenges they face.
- Get creative. Search out opportunities to grow the business by spearheading a new project. Take on a marketing effort, devise ways to reach out into your community that may not have been explored yet.
- Help bring the practice into 2019. If your office is still in the dark ages and it’s time to go paperless- do it! Not using electronic reminders? Subscribe to a service that incorporates it. Plenty of opportunities for growth here.
- Be the blog writer. Most dental office blogs, if they have one, are boring, lack engaging content and are usually quite impersonal. (Believe me- I’ve checked close to a thousand!!!) Take it upon yourself to create a blog every patient looks forward to reading, and add new articles regularly. (This includes making certain you have their emails linked up to receive them.)
- Be the social media maven. Instagram has become the go-to social media platform, and it requires regular content that appeals to the audience by providing an insight not only to smile transformations, but to the team.
- Are you highly organized? Take over the decluttering and turn the office into a streamlined machine! For those of us who love organization, there’s an adrenaline rush that can’t be beat.
- Take a class on a new concept or subject, and if it expands your repertoire with an extra certification, even better! You’ll have a new offering for patients that may lend itself to a great marketing campaign.
- Personalize things. Make your space as much of your own as allowed. There’s comfort in feeling comfortable! My home office, which includes a desk, chair, shelves and all the trappings of a center of productivity, also has a super-comfy over stuffed chair in it to kick back in.
You might not have that luxury, and in fact, I don’t spend much time in it, but simply having it there makes me feel better… calmer. Placing personal pictures on your desk, in your locker door will make you smile when you see them in the middle of dealing with an unreasonable patient. - Plan an outing. I don’t believe being friends outside of the office is a requirement for an engaged team, but there’s something to be said for finding a way to “let your hair down” together. Use the time to kick back and get to be people with one another.
- Find a way to give back. Pick out a few charities and have the group decide as a unit which one they want to support. It’s important that the cause be decided upon unanimously, too, so everyone becomes excited pitching in. Your marketing and social media can further support your efforts.
- Get to work a little earlier than you need to. I’m certainly not advocating milking the clock here. In fact, don’t punch in until you’re supposed to, but simply aiming to arrive a few minutes before you must will allow you to mentally prepare for the day, and it also reinforces (psychologically) that you want to be there. Nothing is worse than blowing in the door “just in time” and having to dive in.
Choose to be Happy
The simplest of suggestions I have for you is to simply choose joy in all you do, and find ways to add more at every turn. Look at your job with fresh eyes regularly and seek ways to enhance one another’s experience. Walk in the door with the idea that you’re going to inspire someone to be and do better, impact lives and grow the business. Let go of perceptions, assumptions and differences that impede that mentality and instead, as always, choose positive change.
Until next time,
Peace, Joy and Success!
Want to learn how better to communicate with each other? With your patients? Present treatment that’s better received and accepted? Check out our unique, engaging workshop here. We have the Map to unleash your potential!
Our Launch Program has been specifically designed to get you leading and your team communicating in a way to better help you all avoid unnecessary conflict, to teach you the skills necessary to effectively create a wonderful culture. Check out the link, and call or email for more information. 
Ascendant Dental Development LLC is built on the solid foundation of positive communication, both in the workplace and personal space. As a certified coaching resource with over 30 years in the dental field, we bring a new twist to dental practices and staff, focus primarily on leadership, team-development, communication skills, and workplace culture. We offer in-office workshops, individual coaching and also provide lectures to larger groups. We are proud members of many organizations including the Academy of Management, the Institute of Coaching, the Via Institute and others. We are currently filling our schedule for 2019-20 and encourage you to call us Toll Free to learn more
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