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How to Find the Right Employer Fit for You
If you are looking for a dentist to care for your health, you’re really looking for a team. People who will care for you and your family. People you can trust. People you can count on.
At Garrison Dental in Ashland, we are always seeking the very best potential fit for personnel in our office. At our private family practice, you’ll see the dentist, but you’ll also see our front office staff, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, each seeking to make your visit an experience you’ll appreciate.
To hire the best, we feel it is important to be the best. If you’re considering a career in the field of dentistry or are currently looking for a good fit, here are some things you might be thinking about to help you make the right decision:
Private or Corporate office setting
There is no shortage of opportunities in the dental field, especially for positions such as Dental Hygienist. More and more corporate offices are opening up and the big names are enticing. Some of them may even be advertising for employees at local institutions or training centers, so they may be more familiar to you.
But smaller, family-owned dental practices can offer a family-first feeling. You can get to know your customers well over time. Finally, you may feel more appreciated, and less like a number in the bigger scheme of a corporate plan.
Work Schedule
Flexible Hours: Many dental practices offer flexible scheduling, which can be a major benefit for work-life balance. This may include part-time, full-time, or flexible shift options. Smaller, private firms are typically more flexible, especially if they feature a family-first environment.
Regular Office Hours: Most dental hygienists work standard business hours, typically Monday through Friday, although some practices offer evening and weekend appointments.
Culture and Team Dynamics
Collaborative Team Environment: Look for a culture of family first. Dental practices that are successful care about families, and they treat their employees the same. Look for evidence that people on the staff like each other, and like to work together. Working closely with dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff requires good communication and teamwork skills.
Supportive Management: At a local private practice, you may be working for the owner, who should care about you and your working experience. Larger firms may be a bit more driven toward profits, and that means your needs may get overlooked at times.
Technology and Equipment
Modern Equipment: Access to the latest dental technologies and tools can make the job more efficient and enjoyable, as well as improve patient care. But be careful that the dentist and his team are using state-of-the-art equipment for the right reasons. If it simply drives profit margins or creates unnecessary care suggestions for your patients, you won’t feel so great about it at the end of the day.
Stress Management
Patient Anxiety: Patients can be concerned, and often are. A well-run dentist's office has a waiting room with patients who don’t seem overly worried, and might even be happy to be there. Typically, you’ll find this enjoyable outcome in a smaller, customer satisfaction-focused dental practice.
These are just a few of the things you might be considering as you look to change or begin your dental career. At Garrison Dental, we may be biased that a smaller, family-owned and operated, family-first environment is best. That’s what we try to build, and what we hope others will strive for as well.
But there are many options, and you’ll thank yourself for doing your research to find the right fit for you.
For more information about open positions at Garrison Dental, click here.