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The dental industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and staffing trends are at the forefront of this shift. As practices adapt to technological advancements, changing workforce preferences, and evolving business models, staying informed about these trends is crucial for maintaining a thriving practice. At PracticeCFO, we understand the financial and operational challenges that come with staffing decisions. Let’s explore some of the key trends shaping dental staffing in 2024 and beyond.
Staffing shortages have prompted many practices to embrace flexible hiring models. More dental offices are turning to temporary or contract professionals to manage peak workloads and staff absences effectively. This approach provides practices with greater adaptability while reducing overhead costs related to salaries and benefits. Platforms like Cloud Dentistry and other gig-based hiring solutions make it easier for practices to find qualified professionals on demand.
The digital revolution is reshaping how dental practices recruit and manage their teams. Online job boards, mobile applications, and AI-driven recruitment tools streamline the hiring process, reducing costs and improving candidate quality. Beyond hiring, dental offices are leveraging automation for administrative tasks, including scheduling and billing, allowing staff to focus on patient care. Investing in these technologies can improve efficiency and contribute to long-term financial stability.
As new technologies and treatment methods emerge, the demand for highly skilled dental professionals continues to grow. Many practices are prioritizing professional development by offering continuing education courses and training opportunities. Encouraging staff to upskill not only enhances patient care but also helps with retention, as employees value employers who invest in their careers. Practices that emphasize growth opportunities are more likely to attract and retain top talent.
The traditional solo practice model is shifting towards larger group practices and affiliations with Dental Support Organizations (DSOs). This trend is particularly appealing to younger dentists who prefer the stability and shared resources that group models offer. DSOs help alleviate administrative burdens, allowing dentists to focus on clinical care while benefiting from centralized hiring, marketing, and operational support.
Staffing shortages remain a pressing issue, but innovative solutions are emerging. Some practices are developing in-house training programs for dental assistants, while others are partnering with educational institutions to create a pipeline of skilled professionals. Additionally, cross-training staff members to handle multiple roles can provide much-needed flexibility during workforce shortages.
Dental staffing trends are evolving rapidly, and staying ahead of these changes is essential for long-term practice success. By embracing flexible staffing models, leveraging technology, investing in professional development, and exploring alternative practice structures, dental professionals can build resilient, financially stable businesses. At PracticeCFO, we help dental practices navigate these complexities with strategic financial planning tailored to their unique needs.
If you’re looking for guidance on optimizing your practice’s staffing and financial strategies, contact PracticeCFO today. Let’s build a stronger, more efficient future for your dental business.
Wes knows what's best for dental practices. He's been doing this for a long time and he sees lots of practices. He can tell me how our practice is doing, and what we can do to increase our productivity. With past CPA's, there were no ideas. It was all coming from me, saying "I think I can do better, but I don't know how." I come in to meet with Wes and he says "You CAN do better, and I know how."
PracticeCFO is in hundreds of dental offices around the country. They know what numbers should look like. They know what percentages of payroll, rent and supplies should be, and they will hold you accountable to those numbers, which will really help you stick to your plan and your path of growth and savings. That is invaluable
Whenever something comes up, whether it's building or practice related and we weren't sure where the numbers would go, PracticeCFO has been instrumental in helping us figure that out. I can't say enough of how important that is - that it goes beyond that initial partnership. They make sure this business marriage works.
When I go home from work, I don't spend a whole lot of time stressing about what my books look like, or how much I owe in taxes. By using PracticeCFO, the burden of keeping track of a lot of the big financial numbers and metrics are taken off my plate.
PracticeCFO helped me develop a plan for the future. I have colleagues that work with other accountants that don't have a plan - they just look at the numbers of the practice and that's it. There's no plan for 10, 20 years from now. But with PracticeCFO, you get that. PracticeCFO makes you feel like you're they're only client.
(In reference to his practice sale) What could've been super stressful, wasn't! When picking John and Wes, it was from word of mouth recommendations and other people's experiences from the past that really did it for me. And it turns out that those recommendations were right on the line.
Wes knows the business side of dentistry. His comprehensive plan will organize your personal and professional finances so you can focus on taking care of patients. Massive ROI.
I can’t say enough good things about everyone at PracticeCFO. Everyone on the team is professional, organized, knowledgeable, helpful and kind. They also respond to emails and phone calls immediately and are always happy to help. They have helped me navigate year-to-year as a business owner. PracticeCFO gives me peace of mind that my business is in good hands.
I love Practice CFO! They have helped me obtain a practice and maintain a practice. They are incredible people who are on top of everything and make owning and running the business portion of a practice easy. They couldn’t be better for my business and my sanity. They have every detail of the business and taxes taken care of where all I have to do is show up and follow their easy steps to success!
Practice CFO has the best tools I’ve seen for personal tax and financial planning in addition to top-tier corporate tax and accounting services. I have been very pleased with the level of quality service. They manage my monthly bookkeeping and accounts payable. It is a great system and saves me a ton of time, and it allows us to have monthly financial statements within a week of month end.
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