Hurricane season has arrived in the United States with horrific and catastrophic consequences. As human beings, our hearts go out to the citizens of Texas who live in the greater Houston area and to so many millions of people living in the state of Florida. The effects of Harvey and Irma were devastating, with property damage in the hundreds of billions of dollars. As dentists, we sometimes think that our world is falling down around us when a patient cancels a two-hour crown and bridge visit at the last minute. Just imagine how you would feel if you were the owner of a dental practice in either of these geographic locations? We feel pity and empathy and sorrow for these communities, but we are almost embarrassingly guilty with the relief that it didn’t happen to us.

Which is the point I want to make. It could happen to you – and will you be properly insured? Recently I have been speaking with many insurance brokers and dentists. My sense from these conversations is that less than 35% of all dentists are adequately covered for a disaster. Over the next few weeks, I intend to share unbiased information about which risk products a dental practice should own, why they should own them, and what those costs are as a percentage of total overhead.

In my most recent blog about how to find and hire great employees, I mentioned that I had some ideas on how to make your job posts stand out from the competition. I received a number of requests for that information, so I’m happy to share those ideas with you now.

I have found a lot of success with what I call an “in your face” ad. It is a challenge and a shout out to talented professionals. Let’s say you are looking for a hygienist. The ad would say: busy general dental practice seeking the absolute best hygienist in the Providence area. If your clinical skills, team building skills, and communication skills are not excellent – please do not apply. This is a full-time position with benefits. Money is no object. Your pay will be commensurate with your experience and ability. All resumes will be kept in strictest confidence. Please email your resume to…..

It is unlikely that you are going to find an excellent talented candidate unemployed and sitting at home. That person probably is currently working in another practice but is no longer happy there. Otherwise she wouldn’t be looking at job posts! Perhaps when she started, things might have been different. Perhaps she no longer feels respected and valued. People that she enjoyed working with are no longer at the practice. She reads this ad and says “ I am the best hygienist in Providence” and I am going to apply.

The “in-your-face” mentality where you basically tell the average person NOT to apply is a challenge that the most talented employees will welcome. And these, of course, are the very people you want to speak with.

“Money is no object” gets attention. It is not false advertising because if you can in fact stimulate an amazing candidate to call – and you end up hiring that person – they will most likely be worth the cost.

Keeping job applications totally confidential is an important comfort factor to someone testing the marketplace. I recommend no calling of references until you know that this candidate  is exactly the person to whom you want to offer the job.

Benefit packages often will make the “sell” for you. Sometimes benefits are more important to someone than the hourly wage. So mentioning that you offer benefits gets people to respond.

My other tried-and-true technique is helpful when you have two people of equal ability and skill sets, and you just can’t make up your mind. I would ask two questions. “Do you have siblings?” And “Did you ever play sports?” The reason for those questions is that you are trying to build a team in your office. An only child who did not have to interact with two or three brothers and sisters might be less able to understand how to compromise. And people who played sports by definition will understand teamwork better those who are not athletes.

I’d love your feedback. I hope these suggestions help.