Quick Answer: Retaining dental hygienists and assistants requires six key strategies: meaningful recognition, flexible scheduling, continuing education support, positive workplace culture, purpose-driven leadership, and true work-life balance. With replacement costs ranging from $27,500 to $45,000 per hygienist, effective retention directly impacts your practice’s profitability.
Running a successful dental practice isn’t just about filling the schedule; it’s about retaining the people who make that schedule run smoothly. High turnover among dental hygienists and dental assistants in your dental office can lead to burnout, lower patient satisfaction, and costly training gaps.
The good news? Retaining great dental professionals isn’t just about paying more. It’s about creating a culture where they actually want to stay. In this blog, we will dive into how to retain top dental professionals and create a winning culture.
1. Recognize and Appreciate Your Dental Team
Retention starts with recognition. Dental professionals thrive when their hard work is seen and appreciated. Go beyond generic praises, highlight specific wins like “you handled that anxious patient perfectly” or “your efficiency kept us on track today.” These small but genuine recognitions build loyalty faster than any other pizza lunch or coffee ever could.
2. Offer Flexibility That Fits Real Life
Dental hygienists and assistants juggle busy lives inside and outside of the operatory, and flexibility is one of the top reasons they choose (or leave) a workplace. Consider offering flexible start times, shorter workdays, or even utilizing temp platforms like GoTu when someone needs time off. Having flexible scheduling shows trust, and trust builds long-term commitment.
3. Invest in Growth and Continuing Education
Dental professionals value employers who invest in their development. Whether it’s continuing education (CE) courses, hands-on training, or mentorship programs, helping your team grow keeps them engaged and motivated. When hygienists or assistants see a future within your practice, they’re far less likely to look elsewhere.
4. Build a Positive, Collaborative Culture
Culture is contagious. Practices that prioritize teamwork and open communication keep morale high and turnover low. Encourage collaboration between front-office and clinical teams, celebrate small wins together, and address conflicts early. A healthy culture doesn’t just retain staff, it attracts top-tier talent who want to be part of it.
5. Lead with Purpose
Money motivates, but meaning sustains. Share your practice’s mission often, whether it’s improving access to care, advancing preventative dentistry, or creating a stress-free experience for patients. When professionals understand the “why” behind their work, they show up with passion and pride.
6. Support Work-Life Balance
Dental professionals who feel constantly overworked are more likely to burn out and leave. Encourage your team to take time off, avoid double-booking, and use tools that simplify scheduling. A little breathing room goes a long way toward keeping your best people.
All in all, retaining great dental hygienists and assistants isn’t about adding more perks; it’s about building a workplace where they feel respected, supported, and excited to grow. When your dental office culture puts people first, retention follows naturally.
Frequently Asked Question about Retention for Dental Professionals
Replacing a dental hygienist typically costs between 50-75% of their annual salary. For a hygienist earning $55,000, that’s $27,500 to $41,250 in replacement costs, including recruiting, hiring, training, and lost productivity.
The primary reasons include: seeking higher pay, desiring a better work environment, wanting more appreciation and recognition, looking for professional growth opportunities, and experiencing burnout from being overworked.
Focus on creating a positive workplace culture, offering competitive compensation, providing flexibility, investing in professional development, recognizing contributions regularly, and supporting work-life balance. Small, consistent actions in these areas make the biggest difference.
When coverage falls through, GoTu can help your office stay fully staffed. Our platform connects you with verified, insured dental hygienists and assistants in your area who are ready to pick up shifts, same day or next. You can post, review, and confirm professionals directly, so patient care and production never have to pause.
