In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue discuss the challenges of hiring and retaining new employees in dental practices. They explore the reasons behind high turnover rates, the importance of effective onboarding, and creating a welcoming workplace culture. The conversation emphasizes the need for structured training plans and the impact of workplace bullying on employee retention. The hosts also highlight the financial costs associated with poor hiring practices and the significance of enhancing the candidate experience.

Key Takeaways

• Stop blaming the applicant and look at your own processes
• Onboarding is crucial for employee retention
• A welcoming culture can significantly impact new hires
• The cost of hiring mistakes can be substantial
• Workplace bullying can drive new employees away
• Structured training plans are essential for new hires
• Communication during the hiring process is key
• Involve existing staff in the hiring process
• Always welcome potential candidates regardless of openings
• Evaluate your practices to improve employee satisfaction

Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7

Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills.

Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized).
Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels.

Episode Sponsors

A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week:

• Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. https://www.planforward.io/

• Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. https://mangovoice.com/

• Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. https://identitydental.com/

In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, hosts Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue go beyond the surface of the interview process to reveal the deeper intentions that should guide your hiring conversations. Whether you are fresh out of dental school or a seasoned practice owner, this conversation will help you build a more intentional, compliant, and effective approach to interviewing.

Sandy and Dana share real world examples, cautionary tales, and the subtle cues they watch for that a resume will never reveal. They cover how to avoid common pitfalls like skipping the interview entirely, how to keep interviews consistent and bias-free, and why you should think twice about hiring family or close friends without a proper process. You will learn how to set the right tone from the very first question, uncover hidden red flags, and balance gut instinct with consistent standards.

And yes — the broccoli salad that Dana could not stop raving about makes an appearance. As promised, you can grab Sandy’s go to Broccoli Salad Recipe here: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/broccoli-salad/. It is healthy, easy, and a hit with the whole family, even the kids.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Set a clear purpose before you ask the first interview question
• Keep the process consistent to protect your team culture and reduce bias
• Spot hidden red flags in tone, word choice, and body language
• Avoid the risks of working interviews and use skill-based tests instead

📅 Event Spotlight: Front Desk Pro – Las Vegas, NV – November 7

Join Sandy in Las Vegas for Front Desk Pro, a high energy, high impact training event designed to level up your front desk systems and skills.

Special Listener Discount: Save $100 with code Secret Sauce (two words, both capitalized).
Beautiful CAD CAM facility, just off the Strip with nearby affordable hotels.

💡 Episode Sponsors

A big thank you to our show sponsors for helping bring Dental Drill Bits to you each week:

• Plan Forward – The membership plan experts helping practices boost revenue and patient loyalty. https://www.planforward.io/

• Mango Voice – The smart, all in one business phone system designed for dental practices. https://mangovoice.com/

• Identity Dental Marketing – Stand out, get noticed, and attract your ideal patients with custom marketing strategies. https://identitydental.com/

Episode Description:

In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Dana Salisbury and Sandy Pardue continue the Hiring Series with a proven time-saving strategy: the group interview. Sandy shares her step-by-step process for getting every qualified applicant in front of you at once, identifying the best candidates quickly, and avoiding the weeks-long cycle of one-on-one interviews. From creating the right environment, using a “plant” in the room, and testing retention skills, to gracefully dismissing non-hires, this episode is packed with actionable tips to streamline your hiring process and build a stronger team—fast.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why group interviews can save you hours and improve hiring decisions

• How to structure the perfect group interview from start to finish

• How to test candidates’ listening and retention skills on the spot

• The importance of graciously handling declined candidates

• How to narrow down your applicant pool in just 90 minutes

🔊 Episode Sponsors:

Mango Voice
VoIP that works for dental practices. Elevate your phone systems and never miss a patient call again
👉 www.mangovoice.com

Identity Dental Marketing
Looking to stand out in a crowded market? Identity Dental Marketing builds brands that convert
👉 www.identitydental.com

Plan Forward
The number one membership plan platform for dental practices—simple, secure, and patient friendly
👉 www.planforward.io