The 12 Days of Critical Factors: The 11th Day

11.  Team. There is no question that no other critical factor, system, or protocol in your practice can work effectively if you don't have a great team working together to accomplish the goals that have been established for your practice. 

Having a great team established and working cohesively together can be the key to productive, fulfilling, fun days.  On the other hand, a team that doesn't get along, or that is in constant conflict, or that is just there for the paycheck can be the most stressful part of dentistry.

Do whatever it takes to establish an environment that focuses on healthy teamwork.  Answer these questions:

 1. Are you well staffed? Do you have the appropriate number of team members in the right positions so that patient care doesn't suffer, production is not limited, and stress is controlled?

 2. Do you have current, well-defined, workable descriptions of position responsibilities? Do these descriptions focus on key responsibilities, expected results and accountabilities?

 3.  Do you have a current personnel policy manual? Has everyone read and agreed to this manual?

 4. Are your team meetings and morning meetings productive and effective?

 5. Do you have equitable salary, benefit and incentive programs in place? Are these healthy for the practice as well as for team members?