During dental practice transitions, the fear that existing staff will not stay with a new doctor is largely unwarranted in the majority of practice transitions. Although it could happen, it is rare because the staff has far more to gain by staying than by leaving.
When a new doctor buys an existing practice, the staff has two options:
- Stay on (provided the new owner asks and continue doing their current jobs
- Leave and look for a new position in
another dental office
When the existing staff remains after the dental practice transition, they:
- Maintain their current salaries and benefits
- Retain their seniority
- Know the other staff members and how
they work - Understand the current office policies and
procedures - Are familiar with the equipment in the
office - Know the patients
Therefore, staff should be seen as a valuable asset to the buyer and/or new doctor.
If staff members remain with the current practice, they must deal with one new variable—the new doctor. It can take some time to become acquainted with their new employer’s personality and work style, but it’s not an insurmountable task.
Why not resign and change jobs? There is little motivation for employees to leave the practice once they understand everything that could change such as…
- Salary and benefits
- Loss of seniority
- Having to become acquainted with and learn how to work with a new staff
- Learning new office policies and procedures
- Learning how to use new equipment
- Building relationships with new patients
- Getting to know and learning how to work with a new doctor
If the staff decides to leave the practice, they still must deal with learning the expectations of a new doctor along with the six new variables. Staying with the existing practice is far less of a gamble.
Retaining existing staff members is key to most successful dental practice transitions. Here is a simple formula for retaining good staff:
The dental practice seller should be sensitive to long-time, loyal employees. These staff members can be taken aside and personally informed of the pending change. This can be done prior to the staff meeting where you announce the dental practice transition to the entire staff and introduce the new doctor. The timing of this meeting varies with each practice.
The dental practice buyer should assure the staff that their jobs, salaries, and benefits are secure and will not change. Let the staff know about new benefits or enhancements to existing plans. The buyer would be wise not to lower employees’ salaries or benefits, as this might prompt immediate action to seek new employment. Buyers should appreciate that staff anxiety will be relatively high until they get to know the new doctor.
Successful staff retention during a dental practice transition is assured by being sensitive and reasonable.
Adapted from Article by John M. Cahill
Henry Schein Professional Practice Transitions, Inc. is a national leader in dental practice transitions, a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc. Providing expert guidance for selling and buying dental practices, dental practice fees and management, assessing partnership and associate-ship opportunities, and performing dental practice appraisals and valuations.
