Staff retention is important. Staff turnover decreases productivity and services during times of vacancies and increases costs and time spent on recruitment and orientation of new staff.

The best way to retain staff is to ensure that their employment experience satisfies as many of their professional and personal needs as possible. This includes offering a competitive salary and benefits, a pleasant and flexible work environment, professional growth and interaction opportunities, CE opportunities, adequate vacation time, and retirement investment options.

When establishing the clinic’s scope of services, consider the professional development needs and satisfaction of staff as well as the needs of the community. For example, many dentists are not satisfied with providing a limited scope of basic diagnostic and restorative services without the opportunity to provide more complex procedures.

To retain staff long-term, each clinic needs to ensure that its scope of services is challenging and satisfying. Creating a work environment where quality care is paramount enhances professional satisfaction. Clinics where financial goals seem to drive the provision of care have problems retaining staff.

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