Maximising the summer holidays for practice growth

Lucie Simic explains why the summer holidays is a golden opportunity for a ‘summer reset’ for your dental practice and what this could look like.

As summer sets in and kids break up from school, many dental practices experience a natural lull. Patients, clinicians and team members alike take advantage of the season to enjoy a well-deserved break and some time off.

This summer hiatus, often seen as a quiet period, presents a golden opportunity for dental practices to conduct a ‘summer reset’.

By using this time effectively, practices can enhance team dynamics, streamline operations and set the stage for a productive final quarter of the year. One highly effective strategy during this period is to conduct ‘growth chats’ – focused discussions on career development and personal motivation.

Here are my tips for conducting growth chats and embracing the summer slow-down:

Conducting team check-ins

Growth chats are open-ended conversations designed to foster professional growth and personal satisfaction among your team members.

These conversations are not just about evaluating past performance but are focused on future development and personal growth, supporting your team members’ career aspirations and enhancing job satisfaction.

These discussions are crucial for maintaining a motivated and engaged team.

A key component of growth chats is to let the employee take the lead. Encourage team members to share their thoughts, experiences and aspirations.

This not only empowers them but also provides valuable insights into their motivations and challenges.

Ask open-ended questions such as:

What are your career goals for the next year?
Are there any skills you would like to develop further?
How can the practice support your professional growth?

Outlining a development plan

Based on the discussion, work with the team member to outline a personalised development plan. This plan should include specific, actionable steps that align with their career goals and the practice’s objectives.

Setting clear, achievable goals helps in tracking progress and provides a sense of direction. It also demonstrates the practice’s commitment to the professional growth of its team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

End the growth chat with a clear summary of the discussion and the agreed-upon development plan. It is important to create some accountability, so ensuring a mutual understanding of the next steps and clear timeline will help do this.

Valuable summer holidays activities

While growth chats are a central aspect of a summer reset, there are other valuable activities that can further enhance the practice:

Reviewing and updating protocols: Use the quieter summer period to review and update clinical and administrative protocols. This ensures that the practice stays compliant with the latest regulations and adopts best practices
Staff training and development: Organise training sessions to upskill the team. Whether it’s technical skills, customer service training, or software updates, continuous learning is vital for maintaining a competitive edge
Facility maintenance and upgrades: Take this time to conduct necessary maintenance or upgrades to the practice’s facilities and equipment. A well-maintained environment not only ensures safety and efficiency but also enhances the patient experience.

Preparing for the ‘new term’

As the summer winds down and September approaches, we want the team to feel energised and motivated.

Assess the practice’s performance to this point and then communicate clearly with the team any areas for improvement and re-evaluate the practice goals. Be sure to reflect on the first half of the year and celebrate any successes too.

Embracing this summer reset can lead to improved team satisfaction, better patient care, and ultimately a thriving practice.

By conducting growth chats, updating protocols and investing in training you can make sure your practice is well-prepared for a successful and productive end to the year.

The summer slowdown is not just a time for relaxation but also an invaluable period for growth and development.