Finding a great hygienist is difficult enough in today's market. The last thing your practice needs is a hiring process that unintentionally drives qualified candidates away.
In this episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy and Dana Pardue challenge one of the most common assumptions in dentistry: that the hygienist shortage is the only reason practices can't fill open positions. While the shortage is real, many practices are creating unnecessary barriers through slow decision-making, gatekeepers, personality assessments, and interview processes that put the doctor—the very person candidates want to meet—at the end of the process instead of the beginning.
If you've ever had a hygienist accept your offer only to disappear before their first day, this episode may explain why.
Key Takeaways:
- Why your hiring process may be costing you great hygienists
- The biggest mistake practices make during hygienist interviews
- Why DISC is a powerful development tool—but a poor screening tool
- Why licensed professionals want to meet the doctor early in the hiring process
- How to remove unnecessary hiring roadblocks and move faster with confidence
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
📣 Identity Dental Marketing – Strategic, ethical, brand-aligned marketing that works.
📊 Practice by Numbers – A unified platform that brings performance, workflows, and insights into one system—creating accountability without pressure and helping practices make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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