Dos and don'ts for team training: Give your team the tools to succeed

Training is an investment in your practice. Your team represents one of your practice's critical assets. By investing in their development, you are positioning your practice for greater success.

Schedule outside-the-office training. Dentists should take their staffs to seminars that provide appropriate training based on the team member's duties and responsibilities. Just as dentists must fulfill continuing education requirements each year, it is a good policy to provide staff members with opportunities for additional training and skill development. When dentists invest in their teams, that investment pays dividends now and well into the future.

Don't forget to provide coaching and direction. While dentists are extremely busy providing patient care, they must find opportunities throughout the day to encourage and coach team members. A good leader helps staff members reach their potential. As the leader of the practice, the dentist needs to help team members, individually and collectively, succeed in the practice.