Compared to 2019: General practices have recovered from 2020 and then some. Production and Collections are up 13% over the 2019 averages with patient flow being up 2% and new patients being up 6%. Crown and bridge is up 11% and Doctor Production per Hour up 9%. Hygiene Production per Hour is up 5%.
We should all be very thankful for how well dentistry has recovered. 14 months ago we thought we’d be talking about laying off staff and dealing with a “Dental Depression.” Patients have returned in droves. As it turns out, the main challenge that our clients are having are in staffing, particularly assistants and hygienists. This has driven up wages. For example, the average experienced hygienist (8+ years) pay in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area was $37/hr. in Fall 2020. Checking online, there are many ads for $40/hr., $45/hr., even $50/hr. and more. As Doctors recruit new staff, they have to circle back and bump the pay of existing staff. Double ouch!
Still, it’s a lot more expensive to not have hygienists helping you keep your patient base active and cared for. Conservatively speaking, for every “lost” day of hygiene, the typical practice loses over $4,000 in business if you include the treatment the Doctors will discover through the hygiene exams.
Most team members who are happy will not leave just for the dollars but there will be pressure as they learn that some of their colleagues are making more. You can’t control the market and you; probably have to pay more than you want. However, even in a situation where you have no choice but to offer higher pay and give substantial raises it is important that you get something for it. Examples: Being flexible on vacation time, covering for other team members, adding of reducing hours now and then, lighting up the intraoral cameras, numbing up your patients, helping on the phone.
At the very least, you need to ask the team members for their assurance that this will keep them happy for a while (they won’t be coming back to you in the next 9 months asking for another raise.) Anything you can think of that they can do to add to their contributions to the practice that will help increase your revenues or improve your days. That can take the sting out of paying higher wages.