Hiring hardships

In the last few years, hiring has become a greater problem for both job seekers and business owners. The almost exclusively digitised process, which sees applications and CVs shared online, interviews conducted over video calls, and workers more likely to expect work-from-home options, has made it difficult for both sides. 80% of employers have found hiring ‘very’ or ‘quite’ difficult[i] whilst 70% of job seekers believe that the current market is not supportive for finding work.[ii]

For dental practices, being fully staffed ensures the daily workflow runs smoothly, allowing more patients to be seen and preventing a backlog. When a staff member leaves, filling that hole should be done as efficiently as possible without compromising on the quality of the selected professional – multiple options should always be considered. Avoiding some of the pitfalls in hiring keeps dental practices ahead of the competition and cements the reputation of the business.

Recruiting the next gen

The hiring market is tough because businesses must balance the needs of four different generations. Whereas baby boomers and Gen X seek security and a good work-life balance in their jobs, millennials and Gen Z are more focused on company ethics such as inclusivity, diversity in staff, equal pay and wellbeing support.[iii] As each generation brings a new set of qualities and traits, practice principals must find overlapping elements to lay a universal foundation from which to market a job vacancy from.

One generational trait is noticeable: the younger generations are more likely to be stressed in their role. By 2030, Gen Z will form 30% of the workforce, but the high levels of stress lead to an increased risk of burnout; job hopping is a subsequent habit because of this.ⁱⁱⁱ In dentistry, stress and burnout are well-established presences, with a fear of litigation, time pressures and managing difficult patients all contributing factors.[iv] To combat this and encourage younger workers to apply and stay for longer in a job, advertisements should highlight the emotional help available through the dental practice, such as wellbeing activities or support networks.ⁱⁱⁱ

A spooky sensation

A more recent problem in the hiring process is ghosting; applicants failing to turn up to interviews without letting the business know otherwise. 79% of millennial and Gen Z job seekers have ghosted an interview in the past year. An explanation has been given by some of these: 50% see ghosting as acceptable because of how many firms and businesses fail to respond to applications, and that many don’t tell candidates if they have been unsuccessful.[v] Dental practice owners should ensure that everybody interviewed is notified if they haven’t got the role; this creates a positive image for the practice and may make it easier to return to the applicants for any future vacancies that come up. Unattended interviews are damaging to businesses, with staff wasting time and productivity that could have been spent elsewhere and leading to increased stress for the hiring teams.[vi]

Describing the dream job

To gain optimal engagement with job seekers and combat the risk of no-shows, dental practices should advertise roles that people will want to be a part of. An effective job advertisement must detail the following with total clarity:

• A description of the role’s typical duties and responsibilities
• Qualifications and experience needed
• Perks and benefits of the role
• The application process
• Contact information

Whilst these feel like a given, the job advertisement also gives the hiring team the chance to promote why their practice is an ideal place to work. This includes outlining the goals and mission of the workplace, identifying the areas in which someone can grow in the role, promoting the emotional support networks available to staff, and shining a light on the values of the team.

To help dental professionals with the hiring process, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) offers its members a 33% discount to advertise a job on Dental Talent. As the premier destination for job-seeking dental professionals, Dental Talent accommodates a wide range of dental roles, from practice managers to dental nurses, connecting ideal candidates with the perfect practice. The BACD is driven to support dental professionals with a passion for cosmetic dentistry, nurturing a growing network of like-minded colleagues from which to find new potential job candidates.

Navigating the job market can be arduous for hiring teams. By taking steps to enhance the way jobs are advertised, engagement with job seekers can be improved and dental practices can avoid long periods of being understaffed, optimising the patient care they can deliver.

For further information and enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry visit www.bacd.com

[i] Morganmckinley.com. (2024). 7 key recruitment challenges and how to overcome them in 2024 | Morgan McKinley Recruitment. [online] Available at: https://www.morganmckinley.com/uk/article/7-key-recruitment-challenge#budget-constraints [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].

[ii] Kelly, J. (2024). Still Struggling To Find A Job? Here’s Why It Is So Hard. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/06/13/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-job/.

[iii] Lee, H. (2023). Gen Z in the Workplace: How Should Companies Adapt? [online] Johns Hopkins University. Available at: https://imagine.jhu.edu/blog/2023/04/18/gen-z-in-the-workplace-how-should-companies-adapt/.

[iv] Collin, V., Toon, M., O’Selmo, E., Reynolds, L. and Whitehead, P. (2019). A survey of stress, burnout and well-being in UK dentists. British Dental Journal, 226(1), pp.40–49. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2019.6.

[v] The Independent. (2024). How ghosting job interviews has become a growing trend among Gen Z and Millenials. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/job-interview-ghosting-candidates-employers-etiquette-b2504646.html.

[vi] HRD Connect (2024). Job ghosting is rife: 86% of jobseekers no-show for interviews – HRD. [online] HRD. Available at: https://www.hrdconnect.com/2024/02/16/job-ghosting-is-rife-86-of-jobseekers-no-show-for-interviews/ [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].