Hiring in the Dental Field During COVID-19
Need to re-staff your practice? Hire and attract your top candidates with these ads.
Know What Candidates Are Looking For
National surveys reveal several key qualities future employees are looking for:
- A boss who cares about them. This is especially important during COVID-19.
- Safety equipment in place and PPE readily available.
- Their opinion will count, even as a new person on the team.
- Their work is important and valued.
- How the schedule is structured – single restorative column, 2 columns with overlapping treatment, or 3 columns with an assistant only column?
- Is there additional support within the assistant team?
- A salary range that matches their expectation, which may include a signing bonus when the candidate pool is limited. Be specific, candidates often pass over jobs that don’t include information about pay.
Describe Your Needs
- Note if the position is PT or FT and if you are willing to look into two PT positions.
- Clearly describe the hours you need, including the lunch hour. Statements such as, “PT, leading to a FT position,” are vague and can sound unorganized. Commit to the hours and days you are seeking, and you will match to candidates seeking the opportunity advertised. Candidates who look for PT opportunities may be filling in around other obligations, and need to know the days of the week you are seeking to fill. If there is flexibility in the days of the week, mention that in your ad.
- Note the city in which your practice is located.
- Decide on the amount of experience necessary to be productive in the position and post accordingly. Overly stringent experience requirements can limit your pool of applicants, but may be necessary if resources for training are lacking.
Describe Your Practice and Set the Tone
Potential applicants should get a feel for the culture of your practice. If you focus on patient relationships, quality care, and sincere communication, posting an ad that states, “Assistant needed ASAP, salary DOE,” sends the wrong message. Your ad should reflect the qualities exemplified in the practice. Questions can be more powerful than statements when hiring in the dental field. It engages the reader as they contemplate your question. (See examples below.)
Candidate Qualities
| Strong communication skills | Comfortable treatment |
| Enthusiastic team player | Display a natural curiosity for people |
| Confidence in treatment and fee presentation | Effective time manager |
| Exhibit professionalism | Organized |
| Interested in building skills and knowledge | Possess initiative FT, 4 days a week |
| Outstanding customer service skills | IO camera skills |
| Working knowledge of software | High case acceptance |
| Reliable |
Example Ads
The ads below represent very different practice cultures and expectations. You will find better matches and more success hiring in the dental field when designing an ad that defines the values you project in your practice.
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Dental Assistant
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Example 1
Are you looking for a position where your opinion and services are valued? Do you want to join a practice that has been around for twenty years, with wonderful patients and an appreciative doctor who has taken safety to a completely new level during COVID-19? Are you looking to be well-compensated? Would it be helpful to have a sterilization tech to free you up to do what you do best – focus on your patients? If so, we may be the right practice for you.
We have a modern, high-tech practice that still focuses on relationship-based, ideal patient care and a team that is ready to back each other up! A reliable, sincere communicator who knows how to discuss treatment options, reassure anxious patients, and provide comfortable care for our patients, is the perfect candidate for this position.
The position is FT, 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday. The hours are 7-4 with lunch from 12-1. Two years of experience required. Please call, so we can discuss all the steps we have taken to keep our staff safe during COVID-19 care and learn about our full compensation package. Salary range is $__ – $__ with ___ days of PTO per year, a 401K match, healthcare insurance, and a $_______ signing bonus.
Example 2
Would you like to work in a positive, fast-paced environment where you can feel proud of the contributions you make and are recognized for your efforts? We focus on cutting-edge treatment, continuing education, and mentoring our staff. Our patients are preschool age to 102, and we make it fun all day long!
We have a team of 5 dental assistants who support 3 doctors and a dedicated COVID-19 Officer who also manages our sterilization department – freeing you to provide uninterrupted patient care. Our team of doctors cares equally about our staff and patients, providing a safe environment to work during COVID-19.
- Medical grade air purifiers installed
- Extra-oral suction systems
- Dedicated hygiene assistant for 4-handed support during aerosol procedures
- Adequate PPE, including N95 masks, disposable gowns, and face shields
You can expect a higher than average base pay, with a salary range of $___ to $____ , commission opportunities, 8 paid holidays, 2 weeks of vacation, 6 days well pay, health benefits, and a 401K plan with an employer match. The position is FT, 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday. The hours are 7-5 with lunch from 12-1. We are standing by to schedule a visit and opportunity to chat with you further!
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Front Office
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Example 1
Are you looking for a position where your opinion and services are valued, teamwork is the norm, compensation is above average, and there is room to grow? If so, we may be the right practice for you.
We have been in practice for twenty years with wonderful long-term patients and kind staff members. We have a modern, high-tech practice that participates in limited insurance contracts, while focusing on good old ideal patient care. Our team that is ready to back each other up!
We are looking for a sincere communicator who knows how to discuss treatment options, understands the importance of scheduling, and is able to collect for services rendered. The position is FT, 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday. The hours are 7-4 with lunch from 12-1. Please call so we can discuss all the steps we have taken to keep our staff safe during COVID-19 and learn more about our full compensation package. Salary range is $__ – $__ with ___ days of PTO per year, a 401K match, healthcare, and a $_______ signing bonus.
Example 2
Are you looking for a dynamic practice with a positive, fast-paced environment where you are recognized and valued for your contributions? We focus on cutting-edge treatment, continuing education, and frequent team development. Our patients are preschool age to 102, and we make it fun all day long!
We have a team of 4 in our front office who supports 3 doctors and 6 hygienists. Our recare system is robust, with technology supporting re-activation. Our culture is one of integrity and positivity.
Our team of doctors cares equally about our staff and patients, providing a safe environment to work in during COVID-19.
- Medical grade air purifiers installed.
- Acrylic guards at the front counter.
- Surgical masks and face shields provided to take patient temperatures.
- Touchless collections and check in and check out systems.
- COVID-19 patient screening through technology.
- Scheduling flexibility. We are currently open from 7am-7pm; 8-hour shifts are flexible within that timeframe.
You can expect a higher than average base pay with commission opportunities, a salary range of $___ to $___, 8 paid holidays, 2 weeks of vacation, 6 days well pay, health benefits, and a 401K plan with an employer match. We are standing by to schedule a visit and opportunity to chat with you further!
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Dental Hygienist
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Example 1
Are you looking for a position where your opinion and services are valued and safety measures are in place to protect your health during COVID-19? We understand the unique health risks dental hygienists are facing and have implemented a number of safety measures to reduce that risk.
- Medical grade air purifiers installed, with a portable unit that can be moved into an Op for aerosol producing treatment
- Extra-oral, hands-free suction systems
- Dedicated hygiene assistant for 4-handed support during aerosol procedures
- Adequate PPE, including N95 masks, disposable gowns, face shields, and goggles
- Overflow Op available to move to while a dedicated assistant sterilizes
- Floors are steam cleaned, lines are disinfected, and every surface cleaned after hygiene care appointments
- Patient appointments are staggered to reduce the number of people in the practice
In addition to reducing your risks, you can expect above average compensation and a doctor who values the relationships hygienists form with patients and the trust that follows. We are a practice that has been around for twenty years, with wonderful patients and a long-term staff. We have a modern, high-tech practice still focusing on relationship-based, ideal patient care. Our team is ready to back each other up!
The ideal candidate will provide comfortable hygiene services, pay close attention to periodontal needs, and have the ability to discuss treatment options to help patients in their decision-making process. The position is FT, 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday. The hours are 7-4 with lunch from 12-1. Three years of experience required. Please call so we can discuss all the steps we have taken to keep our staff safe during COVID-19 and learn more about our full compensation package. Salary range is $__ – $__ with ___ days of PTO per year, a 401K match, healthcare insurance, and a $_______ signing bonus.
Example 2
Would you like to work in a positive, fast-paced environment where you can feel proud of the contributions you make and are recognized, and compensated for your efforts? We focus on cutting-edge treatment, continuing education, and mentoring staff. Our patients are preschool age to 102, and we make it fun all day long!
We have a team of 6 dental hygienists, 5 dental assistants who support 3 doctors, and a dedicated COVID-19 Officer who also manages our sterilization department – freeing you to provide uninterrupted patient care. Our team of doctors cares equally about our staff and patients, providing a safe environment to work in during COVID-19. We understand the unique health risks COVID-19 has presented, and we work to minimize the risk our staff takes.
- Medical grade air purifiers installed
- Extra-oral suction systems
- Dedicated hygiene assistant for 4-handed support during aerosol procedures
- Adequate PPE, including N95 masks, disposable gowns, and face shields
You can expect a higher than average base pay, with a salary range of $___ to $____ , commission opportunities, 8 paid holidays, 2 weeks of vacation, 6 days well pay, health benefits, and a 401K.
