Dental practices aren’t lacking in commitment to their teams, but HR is now carrying greater reputational and operational risk, warns Lara Brewood-Green.
For many years, HR in dental practices has often been handled informally.
Relationships are close: teams are small, and practice owners work alongside their staff every day. Because of that, trust, common sense and experience have traditionally carried much of the responsibility for managing people.
In many cases, that approach worked well. But dentistry is changing.
Practices are growing, regulation is increasing, and employment expectations are evolving. What once felt manageable through informal systems now carries greater legal, reputational and operational risk.
There are five key areas where that pressure is starting to show:
1. Associate agreements that no longer reflect reality
Associate contracts are one of the most complex areas of HR in dentistry. Many agreements were written years ago and quietly carried forward as practices evolved. Over time, however, the way associates work within a practice can shift – responsibilities change, financial arrangements.
Without clear processes in place, these situations can feel highly personal and emotionally charged. adapt, or expectations around facilities and support evolve. When agreements no longer reflect the practical reality of how a practice operates, misunderstandings can develop – sometimes only becoming visible when a dispute arises.
2. Performance concerns left unaddressed
Discussing poor performance is never an easy conversation. Because practice owners work closely alongside their staff, it can be tempting to delay addressing concerns about behaviour, performance or team dynamics. In the short term, this often feels like the easier option. But when concerns are not addressed early, small issues can grow into larger problems – affecting team morale, patient experience and ultimately the stability of the practice.
3. Inconsistent documentation across the team
Many practices hold documentation for policies, contracts and team procedures. The challenge is not always the absence of documents – it is consistency. Over time, documents can become outdated, versions multiply and different team members may operate under slightly different arrangements. This creates uncertainty for both staff and practice owners when questions arise. In a regulated environment like dentistry, clarity and consistency are essential.
4. Unclear processes for difficult situations
Every practice eventually faces challenging situations: a grievance between colleagues, concerns about conduct, a request for flexible working, or a disciplinary matter. Because of this, it’s easy for decisions to be made reactively rather than through a structured framework. That can leave practice owners feeling exposed and unsure whether they are handling the situation correctly.
5. Being reactive instead of proactive
Many practices only engage with HR support once a problem has already emerged: when a dispute arises, a grievance is raised or a difficult situation escalates. By that point, the options available are often narrower and the situation more complex to resolve.
Effective HR works best when it supports practices proactively – providing clear frameworks, documentation and guidance before issues arise, rather than only responding once something has gone wrong.
For practice owners, moving from reactive to proactive HR can reduce risk, strengthen team relationships and create greater confidence in how people management is handled day to day.
From trust to structure
None of these risks arise because practice owners lack commitment to their teams.
In fact, the opposite is often true. Dental practices tend to be highly collaborative environments built on strong relationships. But as practices grow and expectations evolve, informal approaches can begin to show strain. The challenge is not replacing trust – it is supporting it with systems that bring clarity, confidence and consistency to how teams are managed.
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
