Practice Plan regional support manager (RSM), Louise Anderson, explains how encouraging dental teams to take care of their wellbeing has become a vital part of her role.
For the past three years (almost), it seems as if we have not been able to catch a break! As if the Covid pandemic and all the lockdowns weren’t bad enough, then came the war in Ukraine which triggered an energy crisis followed by a cost-of-living crisis and, what’s set to be, a lengthy recession.
By now, we’re all feeling a bit punch drunk.
This litany of misery has left a lot of teams feeling drained especially as there’s a small matter of a recruitment and retention crisis going on in the background, too. Staff wellbeing is at an all-time low and everyone is exhausted at a lot of practices I visit. In some cases, they still haven’t managed to get back to the way they worked before Covid, either.
As a Practice Plan RSM, I’m trying to encourage teams to try to shake off their ‘panic stations’ attitude and adopt some of the thinking and behaviours they had before the pandemic struck.
Take themselves back to a time when they used to plan and look to the future. A lot of things had to be put on the back burner during the pandemic and, in some cases, have not been re-established.
Take a breath
That way of behaving and thinking became a habit so, it’s time now to stop being reactive and start being proactive again. We moved into the stage of living with Covid a few months ago. So now is the time to take a breath and start thinking about planning and looking to the future again.
Over my 30 years in dentistry, I’ve learned that teams need to realise they are only human. They may have done some superhuman things over the past two years, but they can only keep that up for so long and now it’s time to start thinking about their practice the way they did before the pandemic.
Business coach, Chris Barrow, talked about this in a webinar for Practice Plan Stop Firefighting. Take back control where he encourages practices to step back and start planning a future for their business again.
Teams are exhausted from the pressures of providing treatment during a pandemic and from trying to clear the backlog it caused. Looking after people’s wellbeing has been difficult with everyone under pressure but now, more than ever, it needs to become a priority.
During my 15 years managing a group practice of five surgeries, I got to know how important it is to prioritise people’s wellbeing. An example of a quick win that can make a real difference is to prioritise breaks.
Feel valued
Everybody needs a break during the day so they can clear their head and come back refreshed. Research has shown that breaks help people to maintain focus on tasks and that without them, performance can slip. So, it’s important that teams schedule in time for breaks so that they’re ring-fenced, and everyone is disciplined about taking them.
With the difficulties practices are experiencing in recruiting staff, it’s important for them to hang on to the staff they have already. Rewarding and recognising the team members who have stayed with you throughout the pain of the last few years is vitally important.
So many people have decided they want to jump ship and go to work somewhere less pressured so those who have stayed, like tender plants, need care and attention.
Employees love to feel valued and showing them appreciation can go a long way towards retaining their loyalty. The Christmas period is a perfect opportunity to show appreciation for staff loyalty.
This year, especially, it’s important that your staff know that the work they do for you is appreciated. Whether it’s a bonus, a team party or meal, individual gifts or vouchers, staff need a gesture to let them know you care.
Source of support
However, it’s important to remember that showing appreciation is for life, not just for Christmas! Small gestures during the year such as pizza deliveries for lunch, vouchers for pamper days for those who have gone over and above, or even just a card and some flowers and chocolates to say thank you for a job well done can help to make someone feel valued and help retain their loyalty all year round.
Teams can be a great source of support. Dental business consultant, Michael Bentley, says that he went back into working in a dental practice because he missed having a ‘dental family’. He missed the camaraderie and support he got from the people he worked with.
A practice where the team views itself as a family is far more likely to attract people to come to work there and for people to stay. Organising fun events that everyone can take part in such as bowling trips, a meal out, or a picnic in the summer, are great ways of building a strong team bond.
Focus on wellbeing
We’ve had to spend so much time isolating from other people over the last few years that a lot of us really welcome opportunities to socialise with others again!
Naturally, I am still helping practices with the business side of things. However, nobody can give their best at work if they don’t look after their own wellbeing. If practices concentrate on the wellbeing of their staff, then their staff can give their full attention to the wellbeing of the business.
Practices need teams that are healthy and happy to come to work. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. In this season of goodwill to all, it’s a great time for practice team members to make sure they take the time to refill theirs.
For more information visit www.practiceplan.com.
