As of 2023, the US has over 202,000 active dentists, which means there are about 60 dentists for every 100,000 people. Also, the number of dental offices has slightly increased, with a 1% rise from last year, totaling almost 186,000 by September 2023.
However, finding the right dentist is crucial. Especially, finding a candidate who aligns perfectly with your team. So, how to hire a dentist?
To hire the ideal dentist, assess their expertise and team fit for better patient care and growth. Create a detailed job listing reflecting your practice’s culture, and promote it via professional networks, dental schools, and job boards.
This is a simple summary. If you want to hire a dentist the correct way, there’s a guide with steps you should follow. Keep reading to learn how to do this as well as discover how Heartbeat can help make hiring simpler for you.
What’s on this page:
Why Hire a Dentist?
Hiring a dentist is essential for several reasons:
- Oral Health: Regular visits improve oral health, detecting issues like cavities and gum disease early, and providing preventive care.
- Early Detection: Spotting oral problems early ensures better outcomes and less invasive treatments.
- Cosmetic Enhancements: Cosmetic dentists offer procedures to enhance teeth and gum appearance.
- Education: Dentists educate on proper oral care and can refer for further treatments.
- Comfort: A family dentist offers convenience, reliability, and personalized care.
How to Hire a Dentist: A Step-by-Step Guide
Picking the right dentist is vital for keeping your teeth healthy. In this section, we’ll give you the key to how to hire a dentist for the first time. Here is the step by step guide for dentist recruitment:
Step 1: Writing a Simple and Effective Dentist Job Description
Begin your dentist recruitment with a succinct job description that outlines the role at your clinic. Include a brief role overview, focusing on key responsibilities like patient care, diagnosis, and treatment.
Additionally, outline the necessary qualifications, which include a DDS or DMD degree, dental license, and malpractice insurance. Also, mention desirable skills like specialized experience or excellent patient communication.
Step 2: Utilizing Employee Referrals and Networking
Encouraging your team to recommend familiar dental professionals can expedite the hiring process and attract candidates that align well with your practice’s culture. Networking at dental events, such as conferences and seminars, is also invaluable. It not only helps in meeting peers, which may lead to potential hires but also keeps you updated on industry trends.
Step 3: Promoting the Dentist Vacancy
To hire a dentist, expand your search beyond referrals by posting on job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, targeting dental groups, and engaging on social media. Consider local outlets like newspapers for broader reach. These strategies ensure visibility among a wide audience of potential candidates.
Step 4: Evaluating and Choosing the Right Dentist Candidates
After receiving dentist applications, review resumes for qualifications, then conduct phone or video interviews to assess communication and fit. Invite promising candidates for in-person meetings to evaluate their skills and compatibility. Perform practical tests and check references to confirm their suitability and work ethic.
Step 5: Providing Good Pay and Benefits to Draw in the Best Dentists
Attract top dentists with competitive salaries, reflecting their education and skills. Research local market rates to offer equitable compensation. Consider experience and specialization for higher salaries. Include comprehensive benefits like health insurance and career growth opportunities, making your practice a preferred choice for professionals.
Step 6: Welcoming Your New Dentist
When you hire a new dentist, make their first days easy. Show them around, introduce them to everyone, and explain how things work. Give them a mentor to help them learn and let them watch others work. Also, encourage them to keep learning with more training to get better.
Where to Find a Dentist for Hire?
Here are some strategies to find a dentist:
- Seek Recommendations: Inquire with family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Your family doctor or local pharmacist may also be able to provide recommendations.
- Reach Out to Your Local or State Dental Society: Contacting your local dental society can provide you with additional options.
- Consult Online Reviews: Checking online reviews can help you find a reputable dentist based on the experiences of others.
- Dentist Contact Directory: For up-to-date and accurate dentist contact information, Heartbeat offers a direct way to connect with professionals.
Find the Contact List of the Best Dentist
If you’re in search of the top dentists’ contact list, Heartbeat AI stands ready to help. Here’s how it can assist:
Data Analysis
We specialize in analyzing extensive datasets from various sources, including customer feedback, industry analyses, and detailed company profiles. We have more than 200 sources, covering a broad spectrum of information to provide thorough insights.
Chrome Extension for Instant Data Access
Our Chrome extension grants immediate access to the most recent rankings, scores, and evaluations of dentists. This tool uses Heartbeat AI’s data analysis right in your web browsing, giving instant insights and making your work process much more efficient.
Focused Search Capabilities
The Prospector tool from Heartbeat AI refines your search by enabling you to filter dentists based on location, specialization, and experience. This leads to a personalized list of dentist contacts that precisely match your requirements, streamlining the process and saving you time.
List Completion
Heartbeat AI’s file upload feature automatically updates your dentist candidate list with missing emails and phone numbers. This simplifies the process, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
For additional information, explore our doctors hiring guide.
Skills to Look For in a Qualified Dentist
When looking for a good dentist, it’s important they have a mix of skills:
- Technical Skills: They should know how to use dental tools and machines, like X-ray machines, really well.
- Good with Their Hands: They need steady hands and great coordination to do detailed work in your mouth.
- Talking and Listening: They must be good at talking to people, explaining things clearly, and understanding what patients need.
- Solving Problems: They should be quick to figure out what’s wrong with your teeth and know the best way to fix it.
- Paying Attention to Small Things: They need to be very careful and notice small details to make sure they give the best treatment.
- Other Important Skills: They should know a lot about teeth, be friendly, think clearly about problems, and be really skilled with their hands.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Dentist?
The cost of hiring a dentist can vary a lot, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Based on information from Zippia, hiring a dentist in the US typically costs around $1,633 on average.
For a dental check-up, you might pay between $50 and $200. This cost could increase if you require additional services, such as X-rays or teeth cleaning. Without insurance, the cost of a regular teeth cleaning ranges from $75 to $200. Including X-rays in the visit can increase the total cost to over $300.
Prices for other dental work without insurance can be:
- Filling a cavity: $200 to $600
- Pulling a tooth: $75 to $250 for each tooth
- Removing wisdom teeth: $120 to $800 for each tooth
- Getting a root canal: $600 to $1,400
In 2022, the American Dental Association (ADA) reported the average cost of a dental visit at about $219. This visit typically covers an exam, cleaning, and fluoride treatment.
Dentist Interview Tips
If you are a dental recruiters interviewing candidates for dental practices, focus on these key areas:
- Preparation: Define the role and prepare core questions covering technical skills, patient care philosophy, teamwork, and communication.
- Technical Competence: Discuss their clinical experience and continuing education.
- Interpersonal Skills: Explore how they handle patient interactions and work within a team.
- Motivation and Goals: Understand their career aspirations and ensure alignment with your practice’s culture.
- Reference Checks: Conduct thorough reference checks, asking about clinical skills, work ethic, and teamwork.
- Practical Assessment: Consider a hands-on test for roles requiring clinical skills.
- Transparency: Clearly outline role expectations and allow candidates to ask questions.
- Legal Compliance: Ensure interview questions comply with employment laws, focusing on job-related abilities.
Conclusion
To sum up, figuring out how to hire a dentist for your practice is all about having a smart plan for hiring. This includes writing a clear job description, using referrals, advertising wisely, and choosing candidates carefully. It’s also important to offer a good pay package and have a thorough onboarding and training program.
Following these steps helps you bring in a valuable new team member. This person will contribute to the growth of your practice and ensure that your patients receive the best care possible.
Frequently Asked Question
What soft skills are important for a dentist to have?
Look for candidates with excellent communication skills, empathy, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving abilities. A good dentist should be able to make patients feel comfortable and explain treatments in an understandable way.
Do private dentists charge the same?
Dental practices don’t have fixed prices for private treatment, so what you pay can change from one place to another. But, dentists need to show a clear price list. You should be able to see this list easily, usually in the reception or waiting area.
How do I appoint a dentist?
You can either call an office or book online. If you have many questions, it’s better to call. Talking to someone can be reassuring, especially when they confirm your appointment. But for simpler needs, booking online is the way to go.
