Strengthening the Dental Team: Building Trust in the Dental Office

In a dental office, trust is everything. Seriously! It’s like the secret sauce that makes the whole team work together like a well-oiled machine. We’re talking precision, expertise, and compassionate care all wrapped up in one. Trust makes communication flow and coordination seamless while strengthening confidence that everyone will have each other’s backs. But here’s the thing: trust doesn’t just magically appear out of thin air. It takes effort and nurturing, and that’s where team activities come in. They’re like the special ingredients that help cultivate trust and make the dental office the best place to work.

Turning a learning Opportunity into a cultural celebration

I saw this firsthand several weeks ago, providing a hands-on review of the head-and-neck examination with the clinical team of a local dental practice. I witnessed a group of people who worked together, cheering each other on and discussing strategies to incorporate and stay consistent with this aspect of dental care.

It was obvious the dentists and hygienists at this practice respected each other. After the course, I chatted with one of the hygienists and shared my insight into their teamwork. She said they regularly have experiences like this, and she can trust all her clinical teammates.

I have to say, after seeing and being a part of their team culture for the day, I was inspired to look at additional ways dental teams can work together to build respect and trust.

My Office’s Simple team-building activity

I didn’t have to look far because we have a regular lunchtime project in my office that I didn’t even realize was a great team-building activity. We have a large table in the break area, and for the last two years, we’ve always been working on a puzzle.

This one activity brings us together. When someone finds the one piece they spent days searching for, you’d think the winning goal was kicked with the amount of cheering happening.

Team building wisdom from Lisa Copeland

Curiosity made me dig deeper, so I reached out to Lisa Copeland. If you’ve listened to Lisa speak or read her book, “Iron-Out Your Communications: 7 Simple Steps to a Successful Dental Team and Loyal Patients,” you already know she is the go-to person in all things dental team-related.

When I asked Lisa if my theory of team learning and activities leads to employee retention and trust, she gave me an emphatic YES. She believes it so much it’s one of the first items she discusses in her book. Lisa states, “All-team collaborations and learning build a stable foundation that leads to increased engagement, productivity, and team wellness.”

I love this emphasis on the entire team working together for the greater good of the practice and each other. While each person has a designated role within the office, each person contributes to the whole. Building the bonds between those roles can keep the team strong. 

Team building activities don’t have to be expensive

Team activities do not have to cost an arm and a leg. Of course, most team members would love a big all-employee retreat to an exotic location. Still, something simple like a puzzle, a traveling trophy, a gratitude jar, or an idea box can create a shared experience. Most of these items Lisa discusses in her book.

Another facility I came across has a CE Club. They took the book club idea and applied it to continuing education. The premise is a group discussion following a continuing education course everyone participated in. This is a great way to follow up and gain insights into what each other has learned, how to implement the information into your practice, and how the information impacts each team member.

When thinking about team activities, Lisa suggests keeping a few things in mind. What do you want to achieve? Consider people’s roles, responsibilities, expertise, and personalities. Pick an activity that gets everyone involved and creates a safe environment. And don’t forget to evaluate how well it’s working and switch things up every few months to keep it fresh.

team culture is essential to creating a strong team

Whether you are looking for your next team member or searching for a place to put your skills to good use, thinking about team culture is essential. And I couldn’t agree more with Lisa when she says, “Every dental team member deserves a fulfilling career in a highly functional practice.” Building trust, collaboration, and team communication leads to better problem-solving, productivity, and a positive work environment.

So, let’s embrace the power of team activities in dental offices. Let’s come together, build trust, and create a strong, kick-ass team that delivers excellence in patient care.