I oversee five dental clinics in the UK and Norway that have razor-sharp patient-first approaches. What makes our practices so successful is, of course, employee dedication. However, I’ve noticed that in the dental industry, employee well-being often takes second place.

Burnout levels in dentistry are high. Several close friends of mine, who are dental hygienists and technicians, often complain about the breakless, breakneck pace of work that leaves little room for life outside work.

Employee burnout ultimately affects patient satisfaction, productivity, and revenue. Recently, our clinics launched initiatives directly aimed at improving employee well-being, so that our staff feel valued and supported. This article will explore the measures we have taken, or are considering, to improve our staff satisfaction and performance rates.

Foster a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace Culture

Do not underestimate the benefits of fostering a positive workplace culture in dental businesses. It is the foundation of staff wellbeing and has a direct impact on performance. When employees know that the management hears and respects them, they are more motivated to meet performance parameters.

There’s a very interesting case study on the importance of a good workplace culture.

Case Study: North Bristol NHS Trust

After the North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) struggled to meet performance goals for 2017 and 2018, the management took a novel approach. Instead of restructuring staff, they conducted listening events and employee surveys.

The Trust used the feedback from the surveys to launch an employee wellbeing programme that included coaching and activities (like ‘daily wellbeing walks’). The results were rather remarkable. The Trust cared for 6 percent more patients than in the previous years, and sickness-related absences among staff dramatically dropped. The Trust saved 4,000 whole-time equivalent working days due to the reductions in sick leave requests, amounting to £301,015 in savings.

This case study is a prime example that even small steps toward improving employee satisfaction go a long way in improving performance.

Actionable Ideas to Consider:

• Encourage open communication so that employees can easily approach the management with concerns
• Encourage communication and collaboration between employees
• Get genuine feedback from staff with tools such as anonymous surveys
• Celebrate employee achievements
• Design activities aimed at reducing workplace stress

Invest in Ergonomic Working Spaces

Ask any dentist or hygienist, and they will tell you the pain of sitting in dental chairs for long hours. We often work in static awkward postures for long periods, which can lead to chronic soreness, fatigue, and in some cases, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Research shows that MSDs among dental professionals are high, leading to more sick leave and absenteeism. As many as 64% to 93% of clinical dental workers report musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. A 2025 study published in Bioengineering linked these issues to poor posture caused by extended sitting in dental chairs.

Ergonomics, or the physical comfort of a working space, has a direct impact on productivity and employee retention rates. Physical discomfort can lead to chronic health problems, which in turn reduce an employee’s capacity to work. It also makes employees dissatisfied and more likely to be less productive and possibly leave.

Workplace comfort in dental clinics doesn’t affect just clinical staff; it can also impact administrative staff. A case study from the US at a medical call centre illustrates this well.

Case Study: Medical Call Centre

A medical call centre office was so bad to work at that the employees there had started calling it “the dungeon”. Employees complained of cramped workstations, loud noises, mould, and general uncleanliness. The call centre had a workplace injury rate of 15%, almost all related to neck and shoulder problems because of bad posture. Other causes of absenteeism included allergies, caused by dust and residue from frequent construction. The company received at least 4 complaints from employees per day.

The management conducted an assessment and introduced a number of ergonomic changes to the work environment. This included designing a new floor plan that reduced noise and increased the available working space for each employee. The company also reconstructed the office plan using bio-friendly wood to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, which reduced the rate of respiratory illnesses among workers.

The results were improved employee satisfaction and productivity. The complaints the business received from workers per day went down to zero. The employees were healthier, happier, and more likely to continue at the business because of the ergonomic implementations.

While this business in the case study had to significantly invest in redoing the offices, the costs paid off in improved productivity. This case demonstrates how ergonomic redesigns, informed by data, can lead to profitable outcomes.

Actionable Ideas to Consider:

• Invest in ergonomic furniture for both clinical and non-clinical staff
• Buy chairs that support a neutral spinal posture
• Design spacious office spaces that don’t feel too tight
• Allow microbreaks, such as coffee breaks, for workers to walk and stretch
• Consider ergonomics when buying dental chairs and stools
• Ensure all areas are hygienic
• Take steps to reduce excessive noise in working areas
• Allow access to quiet rooms for those who might need it
• Include questions about physical comfort in employee feedback surveys

Allow Flexible Working Arrangements

The COVID-19 crisis has made many employees accustomed to working from home. For dental businesses, work-from-home arrangements are not possible for the clinical roles. However, it’s still possible to allow some flexibility in schedules in order to prevent staff from feeling overwhelmed.

At our practices, we allow hybrid work options for non-clinical staff, such as our web development, administrative, and marketing teams. For clinical staff who must be on-site, we offer time adjustments and rotating shifts to promote better work-life balance.

In the NBT case study I mentioned above, they, too, used rota schedules to improve staff wellbeing. Flexible working hours were particularly useful during the winter months, when staff dissatisfaction rates tend to be higher. After NBT introduced flexible schedules, staff retention during the challenging months was higher.

Actionable Ideas to Consider:

• Facilitate hybrid schedules for non-clinical staff that allow working from home on some days
• Allow rotating shifts that alternate between morning and evening so clinical employees can better manage personal commitments
• Make part-time work an option for employees facing family emergencies or health problems

The Importance of Investing in Employee Wellbeing: Key Takeaways for Dentists

For dental clinics, even simple steps toward employee welfare can deliver sustainable results. Easy changes to work schedules—such as micro-breaks and hybrid options—are not time-consuming to implement. In cases of serious physical problems, spending the money on necessary ergonomic equipment, such as dental chairs, can yield excellent, long-term results.

Our clinics have just begun to implement wellbeing changes, and even in that short time, we’ve experienced remarkable results. Our staff are happier, more likely to work extra shifts when needed, and are reporting more positive feelings about working. The hybrid schedules have also expanded our hiring pool to include older, more experienced candidates.

The path forward for improving dental workplaces is clear. Invest in employee wellbeing as much as patient satisfaction and see the results in happier teams, better patient care, and a high-performing clinic.