As a pediatric dentist, I know firsthand how busy our days can be. Between treating patients, communicating with parents, managing emergencies, and overseeing the team, the idea of onboarding a new hire often falls into the “just shadow someone and figure it out” category.
But here’s the truth: sink-or-swim onboarding is costing your practice time, money, and patient confidence. Whether you’re running a general dental office or a pediatric practice, having a structured onboarding system is essential for long-term success.
Here are the top 10 reasons why your practice needs a real onboarding system:
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Shadowing is inconsistent.
Each trainer teaches differently, and critical steps often get missed. -
Sink-or-swim breeds anxiety.
New hires feel unsupported and overwhelmed when there is no clear roadmap. -
Patients notice uncertainty.
When a team member fumbles due to poor training, it undermines patient trust. -
Doctors end up micromanaging.
Without proper onboarding, you spend your days correcting errors instead of focusing on patient care. -
Behavior management is overlooked.
In pediatrics especially, understanding developmental differences and behavior guidance techniques is crucial—and rarely taught in traditional training. -
Clinical knowledge gaps remain hidden.
Many new hires claim competency but may have never worked with your materials or techniques before. -
Missed opportunities for cross-training.
Onboarding is the ideal time to prepare team members to fill in when others are out. -
No accountability.
Without documented training, it’s unclear who is responsible for what mistakes or knowledge gaps. -
Frustration among current team members.
They are expected to “train on the fly” while doing their own jobs. -
Turnover increases.
New hires who feel unprepared are more likely to leave within the first 90 days.
How the Pediatric Dental Team Association (PDTA) Helps
At PDTA, we understand these challenges. That’s why we created:
✔️ Editable checklists to evaluate each new hire on clinical skills, materials knowledge, and pediatric behavior management techniques.
✔️ Position-specific training charts outlining skills and procedures for every role in a pediatric office.
✔️ Downloadable, printable, and customizable resources so your onboarding system fits your practice’s unique needs.
✔️ Training assignment tools to divide onboarding topics among team members based on expertise and availability.
✅ Imagine this: Your new assistant arrives on Day 1, knows exactly what is expected, feels supported, and your team has a clear plan to bring them up to speed efficiently.
If you’re ready to move beyond shadowing and set up a true onboarding system for your dental practice, PDTA is here to help.
👉 Explore our onboarding resources today at www.thePDTA.org
Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD maintained a private practice in Marietta, GA from 1982- 2017. She attended the University of Louisville Dental School and completed her pediatric dental residency at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital / Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is proud to be a Fellow the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy – National Honorary Organizations for Dentists.
Dr. Haugseth is a Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), and the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry(GaPD). Dr. Haugseth has been a National Spokesperson for the AAPD since 1989 and has been frequently interviewed for radio, print, and national television.
Dr. Haugseth is the Founder (2013) and Director of the Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School in Atlanta Georgia. She is also the Founder (2014) and Director of the Pediatric Dental Team Association. She is committed to pediatric dental team members and continues to develop ways to enhance their knowledge and skills both in and out of the dental office.