Seamless Starts
We’ve all been there — the first day on a new job. Thoughts race: What should I
wear? Will I make it on time? What will I learn? Where and when do I eat lunch? These
are normal questions every new hire faces. In dentistry, however, onboarding goes
beyond the basics — especially with the unique language, workflows, and expectations
of the clinical world.
For those new to dentistry, learning dental terminology alone can be overwhelming. For
seasoned professionals, navigating a new practice’s protocols, team dynamics, and
systems presents its own challenges. How a new team member is welcomed and
integrated can make all the difference — not just for her/his/their confidence, but for the
entire culture and efficiency of the practice.
Unfortunately, many new hires are thrown into the deep end without support due to
the busyness of dentistry. I remember starting one role where I was handed a stack of
yellow sticky notes to describe my workload — not exactly helpful on day one! That
experience reinforced for me how critical thoughtful onboarding is to success in
dentistry. A structured approach helps build trust, skill, and collaboration, benefiting the
entire practice and its patients.
Dentistry thrives on teamwork, clear communication, and consistency. Effective
onboarding reduces stress, prevents mistakes, lowers turnover, and increases job
satisfaction. Most importantly, it makes new employees feel seen, valued, and
supported — laying the foundation for long-term engagement. So how do you make that
happen?
Michelle Affanato has experience in both clinical dentistry and practice
management, specializing in creating systems for start-up practices
(https://affinitymanagement.co). I’ve spent my career in clinical hygiene, training, writing,
and presenting CE programs. In a former role as a training manager for a small DSO, I
developed comprehensive training manuals for dental team members. Michelle is also a
DeW and asked me to assist her in creating onboarding documents for her teams.
Thus, we began our journey into creating the answer to how the onboarding process
can be accomplished in an efficient manner so that the new team member feels valued
and supported and the practice efficiency improves.
Together, we created three “Seamless Start” onboarding manuals — one each for
administrative team members, dental assistants, and hygienists. These general-purpose
guides provide a customizable structure for any dental practice. Each manual includes:
- A section overview with key training focus areas
- A customizable checklist of onboarding items
- A general training timeline to prevent overload
- A modular format for learning at a manageable pace
These manuals are not meant to replace practice-specific hiring policies or HR manuals,
but rather to support the onboarding process with practical structure and intention.
Although not affiliated with Michelle or I on this process, for practices that need fully
customized manuals, another DeW member, Laura Johston, has created,
MyDentalSOP (https://www.mydentalsop.com).
Whether the onboarding is led by an office manager, administrator, or clinical mentor,
these guides give the team a place to start. Each new hire brings a unique skill set.
Rushing the onboarding process creates stress and errors, while a thoughtful, well-
paced training plan supports retention and success. It is recommended to break the
onboarding into daily modules, allowing time for review and questions. Depending on
the role, onboarding typically takes 1-2 weeks with daily check-ins and assessments,
both formal and informal.
- For administrative roles, training may include basic dental knowledge,
scheduling, insurance, financing, and practice management software (PMS). - For assistants and hygienists, onboarding covers clinical skills, patient
communication, and specific practice protocols.
Regardless of the position, the mentor and new hire should remain in close contact well
beyond the first week. The mentor’s job is to support, guide, and encourage — helping
the new team member integrate and thrive. This mentorship fosters strong bonds and
reinforces a culture of unity and collaboration.
As the new hire (or any team member) achieves milestones, taking the time to recognize and
celebrate is important. Celebrating small wins reinforces a healthy culture and encourages
continued growth. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, a successful patient interaction, or
simply making it through a challenging week, these moments matter.
In the end, onboarding is more than a checklist — it’s a commitment to your team
and your practice culture. And with the right tools, like the “Seamless Start” manuals,
that commitment becomes a clear and consistent reality for every new hire.
For more information about the “Seamless Start” modules go to:
https://affinitymanagement.co
