Finding a great hygienist is difficult enough in today's market. The last thing your practice needs is a hiring process that unintentionally drives qualified candidates away.
In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy and Dana Pardue challenge one of the most common assumptions in dentistry: that the hygienist shortage is the only reason practices can't fill open positions. While the shortage is real, many practices are creating unnecessary barriers through slow decision-making, gatekeepers, personality assessments, and interview processes that put the doctor—the very person candidates want to meet—at the end of the process instead of the beginning.
If you've ever had a hygienist accept your offer only to disappear before their first day, this episode may explain why.
Key Takeaways: - Why your hiring process may be costing you great hygienists
- The biggest mistake practices make during hygienist interviews
- Why DISC is a powerful development tool—but a poor screening tool
- Why licensed professionals want to meet the doctor early in the hiring process
- How to remove unnecessary hiring roadblocks and move faster with confidence
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – Strategic, ethical, brand-aligned marketing that works.
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📲 Join the Conversation! Have you ever lost a great hygienist during the hiring process?
What's one change you could make this week to remove a roadblock for your next candidate?
Join the conversation in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group. We'd love to hear what's working in your practice—and what hiring lessons you've learned along the way.
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