Company culture is something that every company needs to have for their employees in order to be successful. A company’s company culture will affect the way they work, how satisfied their patients are, and the overall attitude of each employee. If you want your dental clinic to succeed, it’s important that you take steps towards changing and maintaining a positive clinic culture.
What is a Good Work Culture?
A company’s company culture is the attitude and atmosphere of employees within their workplace. It can be defined as how people work together, communicate with each other, handle conflict resolution issues, and more. A good company culture will increase your dental clinic’s bottom line by making patients happier. This then leads to increased revenue through satisfied customers who become returning, loyal clients, who share their love for your clinic to their loved ones and friends that are looking for a new dentist.
4 Ways Dentists Can Positively Change Company Culture
There are a few ways that dentists can positively change company culture in their dental clinics.
Here are 4 ways that you can change your dental clinic culture for the better:
1. Lead by Example
The first way to create and maintain a good company culture is for the dentist to lead by example. This means setting the tone for how employees should behave and work together. If you are constantly arriving late, on your phone, and being unprofessional, your employees will likely follow suit. However, if you arrive on time, leave work on time, and are professional in your dealings with both patients and other staff members, they are likely to do the same.
2. Create a Positive Office Atmosphere
Creating a positive office atmosphere is another way to positively change company culture. This means creating a welcoming environment for patients throughout their appointment and before they enter the office by decorating to create a warm, comfortable atmosphere that will make them want to return time and again. Further, a welcoming environment is beneficial to your team members, too. It helps to create a positive work atmosphere in which all employees feel comfortable working together and are happy with their job.
3. Encourage Communication
Encouraging communication is one of the top ways to maintain a good company culture. This means that employees should feel free to communicate not only with their co-workers, but also you as the dentist. Employees should feel comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns, and ideas. This will help to create an open and positive working environment in which everyone is on the same page.
Encouraging communication can also mean providing employees with regular feedback. This could be done through formal reviews, but it’s important that you provide feedback in a way that is constructive and helpful. Negative criticism often leads to employees feeling defensive and discouraged. Instead, focus on giving employees words of affirmation when they are doing well and suggestions for improvement in areas where they might need a little extra help.
4. Resolve Conflict Quickly
Finally, dentists should work to resolve conflict quickly and effectively. This means that any disagreements or arguments between employees should be dealt with in a timely manner so that the clinic can continue running smoothly. Employees who are able to resolve conflicts quickly and without drama are more likely to have a positive company culture.
Creating and maintaining a good company culture is important for the success of any dental clinic. By following these 4 tips, dentists can positively change company culture in their clinics and see an improvement in patient satisfaction, employee attitude, and revenue.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Shane Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle is an Idaho native and has over fifteen years of dental experience. Dr. Porter has skillfully performed thousands of surgeries. Graduating at the top of his class at Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree while amassing many academic and clinical awards.
Additionally, he served as an officer in the United State Army Dental Corps where he completed a two-year advanced surgical education and general dentistry residency. Dr. Porter is board certified by the American Board of General Dentistry, a distinction earned by only 1% of all dentists in America. He has also earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
