324. The Simplest Dental Team Training That Actually Works
About this episode
Dr. Steve Van De Graaff discusses effective dental team training techniques that enhance patient confidence and team performance.
Dr. Steve Van De Graaff hosts an episode on the single most common struggle he hears from dentists: leading and managing a team. His answer isn't a culture overhaul or an offsite — it's a training you can run in fifteen minutes and start using the same afternoon. The handoff has two rules. First, tell the patient what's coming next, so nobody sits in a chair wondering why they're waiting. Second, build up the team member taking over. "Erica's going to take care of you — she does the best cleanings." "Sarah's really good with insurance; she'll find a way to make this work." "Kate's in here with you today, and she's great with kids." Why it works — three effects Patient confidence. Patients stop guessing what happens next. Instead, they see a polished, organized office running a system, and they trust the practice more. Team performance. When you praise a team member in front of the patient, you're really talking to your team member. It's a Dale Carnegie principle: give someone a reputation to live up to, then praise them when they get there. Culture. When people build the habit of saying something good about a co-worker out loud every day, respect and teamwork rise with it…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Steve Van De Graaff
Topics covered
- team training
- patient confidence
- team performance
- dental practice management
- workplace culture
Keywords
- dental team training
- patient communication
- team management
- practice culture
- dentist tips
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Lifestyle Practice
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