The People Problem: Why Hiring and Retention Is the Real Growth Strategy for Dental Practices

You can have the best marketing, the latest technology, and a beautiful office — but without the right people, none of it works.

In this episode of the Word of Mouth Podcast, Jeff and Sarah dig into one of the biggest pain points in dentistry today: hiring and retaining quality staff. From hygienist shortages to the role of workplace culture, they break down why people are the foundation of every successful dental practice — and what dentists can do right now to build a team that actually wants to stay.
In this episode:

🔍 40% of dentists are actively trying to hire a hygienist or assistant — and 9 out of 10 say it's very difficult to find good candidates
📉 Hygienist salaries are up 33% over the last 10–15 years while dentist salaries have dropped 10–15% — making "just pay them more" an increasingly unsustainable solution
🔄 Turnover is up significantly since 2020, and replacing an employee costs far more than retaining one — in time, training, and lost productivity
👥 Over 63.7 million Americans live in a dental health professional shortage area, meaning demand for qualified providers isn't slowing down anytime soon
🏆 The practices that win won't just be the ones that grow the fastest — they'll be the ones that build teams that actually want to stay and grow together

The key takeaway? Culture isn't a perk — it's a strategy. The practices that invest in people early are the ones that scale, retain patients, and thrive long-term.

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🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and wherever you listen.
📞 Interested in talking with Opkie? Book a call here for a free practice market analysis: https://opkie.link/Word-Of-Mouth