Some dental practices make you feel tired before the day has even started.
There’s a complaint about the appointment book. A suggestion by a DA gets an eye roll. Someone makes a cutting remark about a colleague. By the time the first patient sits down, the team has already spent a lot of mental energy.
As I visit practices, I’m struck by how differently teams handle the working day. Some manage a demanding schedule with warmth and good humour. Others seem defeated by a fairly ordinary one. In some practices, one person has a disproportionate influence on the atmosphere. I think of these people as “energy vampires”. They drain enthusiasm, magnify problems and make work harder for everyone else.
A practice I know finally sacked someone whose behaviour had been draining the team for a long time. The owner had agonised over the decision, but the results were astonishing. Production rose by 30%, the dentists were happier and a persistent staff turnover problem stopped. That illustrates how damaging an energy vampire can be.
In staff meetings, do you have someone who always says “We tried that. It didn’t work” or “That’s just more paperwork” or “We don’t have time for that”, but never comes up with suggestions themselves?
Imagine a DA training a new colleague. Every question is met with “I’ve already shown you that” or “It’s quicker if I do it” or “You should know this by now”. Soon the questions stop and the new DA is demotivated.
If you recognise these patterns, address them early. Speak privately, describe the behaviour you’ve observed and explain what needs to change. Listen for a genuine problem you can help fix, then agree on a clear expectation and follow up. Avoid vague requests to “be more positive”. Tell the person exactly what you need them to do differently.
Apply the same standard to yourself. If you snap when running late or dismiss questions, your team notices. A practice needs people who can raise problems and handle pressure respectfully. Before asking your team to change, consider whether you need to change how you respond when things don’t go to plan.
