Please, please.......

Positivity is so important for all of us now as the challenges we are facing are real. Supporting each other however we can and lending a helping hand (6 feet away) or simply listening and being someone else’s sounding board is what I believe we should all be doing. Social media confirms that so many of you are doing just this—thank you to those caring folks out there.

Over the years I have been fortunate to not only place hundreds of dental professionals but have continued to maintain on-going communication with them via internet and phone calls over time. I’ve made so many friends along the way, both dentists and team members and I treasure every relationship though many I have never even met. Over the past few weeks many have reached out to me for guidance, suggestions, but mostly in the hopes that I can offer them comforting words and encouragement. As we know, this soon this will all be behind us and our profession as well has others will be resuming services once again. I’ve tried to direct and advise those that are desperately seeking employment however I can. Sadly, my recommendations have not been in the field of dentistry. My heart breaks when I must confirm that the way things are now, practices are not only limiting their current team support, there is a hiring freeze occurring nationwide. There have been a couple of occasions when a client has asked me to locate a short-term employee to help with accounts receivable issues, insurance clean-up, etc. I fill these spots quickly and only wish I had more to offer.

Prior to the announcement of COVID-19 I had 3 people (2 Business Office and one assistant) all set to start their new positions. The job candidates and my doctors were excited and anxious to on-board them. And then, things changed……

The practice shutdowns and new restrictions on patient flow and activity has impacted us all so as a result the new recruits not only didn’t start their new positions, but the offices closed limiting treatment to emergencies only. What I can’t figure out is how there are still dental practices listing current positions, full-time in some cases, across the country! I checked out several of the hard-hit areas on Craig’s List Job Board offerings and I was astounded! Just today alone I saw a few full-time hygiene, assistant and business office opportunities in major California locales. How is this even possible? Particularly in California, a state that is really controlling inter-personal activity to the max.

I was also so saddened to notice that “one of our own” posted on social media that there are currently job opportunities available including the salaries that are being offered. Really? What healthcare provider is willing to jeopardize the health of team members and patients at this point? What kind of consciences do these people have? We are all feeling the crunch and are all trying to make ends meet, but someone please tell me how this can happen? Where are the patients to support the team’s efforts?

These are risks taken by practicing dentists and others that are most likely making false statements and false promises simply to attract those that are so vulnerable right now. Do they believe that someone is willing to interview and go through the protocols of the hiring process-excited about the possibility- only to learn that this most likely won’t happen? At least not now.

Please consider the great team members that help us get through every day. Support them any way you can, but please don’t offer them false hope.

Thank you~