In this insightful episode of *The Dental Wealth Nation Show*, host Tim McNeely and certified business coach Ben Shaver, dive deep into the complexities of recruiting associate dentists efficiently and cost-effectively. As dental practices face increasing challenges in finding and retaining quality talent, this episode offers valuable strategies to overcome recruitment hurdles.

Tim McNeely opens the discussion by highlighting the current recruitment difficulties in the dental industry, emphasizing both internal and external avenues. Ben Shaver then shares his expertise, emphasizing the critical importance of employer branding, messaging, and cultivating a strong internal culture to attract top-tier associate dentists.

The conversation thoroughly explores the misalignment between younger dentists' expectations and practice owners' needs, along with geographical and timing challenges. The episodes underscore the essential nature of maintaining a consistent practice through effective talent acquisition and retention, while managing associated costs.

Key techniques such as reaching out to dental schools and utilizing advanced talent sourcing methods are discussed. The importance of employer reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed is also highlighted. Encouraging positive reviews can balance out any negative feedback and improve the practice’s image to potential employees.

Attracting and retaining dental talent is further examined through the lens of social media and its role in portraying the practice's brand and culture. Tim and Ben stress the need for a well-aligned leadership, culture, and brand to create a positive work environment, facilitating employee referrals and internal recruitment success.

The shifting priorities of younger generations of dentists are also explored, with a notable emphasis on quality of life and a supportive work environment over financial rewards alone. The episode dives into building a robust recruitment pipeline, underscoring the necessity for a clear mission statement and a vivid vision for the future of the practice.

Additional highlights include industry statistics on associate dentist retention, overcoming recruitment challenges through relationship-building akin to business-to-business marketing, and the role of 3rd party recruiters in speeding up the recruitment process. A successful client example showcases the cost and quality benefits of effective talent sourcing.

Tune in to gain actionable insights and innovative strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of dental associate recruitment. Don't miss out on this valuable conversation that aims to transform your recruitment approach, ensuring your practice is well-equipped for future growth.

For more information and valuable resources, visit dentalwealthnation.com.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the biggest challenges dental practices face when recruiting associate dentists, and why do these challenges exist?
2. How can dental practices improve their employer brand and culture to attract top talent more effectively?
3. What strategies can dental practices implement to align the interests of younger dentists with those of practice owners?
4. In what ways do geographical and timing challenges impact the recruitment process, and how can practices overcome these obstacles?
5. Why is it essential for dental practices to focus on reviews on job recruiting sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, in addition to Google, Yelp, and Facebook?
6. How can practices utilize their current employees and internal recruitment plans to find quality candidates who fit the practice culture?
7. What role does social media play in portraying a dental practice’s brand and culture, and how can practices leverage this for recruitment?
8. How important is building a recruitment pipeline with culture, mission statements, and a vivid vision for the future, and why do many practices lack these components?
9. What are the key metrics for recruiting associate dentists, and how can practices measure and improve these metrics?
10. How can dental practices benefit from creative recruitment strategies, such as recruiting international dentists, and what are some success stories in this area?