Janice Hurley, dentistry’s image expert
I am passionate about helping others see themselves in the best light. True self confidence is a wonderful gift you can give yourself if you are willing to do “the work”. I want women to know they are never stuck. I want women to know that they have choices
I had the privilege of interviewing Janice Hurley, dentistry’s image expert and a trusted friend. Our conversation focused on two crucial aspects of dental practice management: Building Confidence and Hiring Strategies. Janice’s top three strategies for building confidence in the dental workplace are not only vital for creating a high-performing team but also for enhancing patient interactions and boosting practice profitability. Janice’s unique insights into hiring with confidence and cultivating a culture of self-assurance are game-changers for any dental practice.
Listen to full episode on SoundCloud
Listen to full episode on Apple Podcast
The Foundation of Confidence in Hiring
Janice emphasized that Building Confidence and Hiring Strategies go hand-in-hand. Confidence isn’t just about how team members present themselves; it begins at the hiring stage. As practice owners and managers, it’s essential to approach hiring from a position of confidence. This means being clear about the role, expectations, and the non-negotiables—long before the interview process begins.
One of the key takeaways from Janice was the importance of hiring from a place of confidence, not desperation. When practices rush the hiring process due to staffing shortages, they often end up with the wrong fit, leading to a negative impact on team dynamics and patient experiences. In contrast, confident hiring allows practice leaders to wait for the right person who aligns with the practice’s values and culture.
Identifying Confidence in Candidates
A standout moment in our conversation was Janice’s approach to identifying confidence during interviews. She highlighted the importance of looking for two key traits: self-esteem and confidence. While self-esteem reflects an individual’s internal dialogue, confidence is about how they navigate challenges in the workplace.
Janice listens intently to how candidates describe past roles and experiences. Confident individuals own their experiences, both positive and negative, without blaming others. This level of self-awareness is crucial for building a high-performing team that operates cohesively and with purpose.
She also shared a powerful Hiring Strategy: asking candidates about their previous onboarding experiences. Most commonly, candidates reveal they had little to no training or guidance. This insight not only helps gauge a candidate’s resilience but also highlights the need for effective onboarding processes that build confidence from day one.
Flexible Hiring Strategies: A Modern Approach
One of Janice’s most innovative Hiring Strategies involved offering flexible roles. In today’s competitive job market, flexibility is a powerful incentive. Janice shared a story about advising a practice to offer flexible scheduling to attract a highly qualified hygienist. This wasn’t about compromising standards; it was about confidently adapting to the current market demands. The hygienist accepted the role specifically because of the flexible hours, showcasing how strategic flexibility can attract top talent without undermining team cohesion.
Building Confidence Through Structure and Consistency
After hiring the right people, the next step is creating an environment that nurtures confidence. Janice shared three essential strategies to build confidence within a dental team:
- Consistency in Expectations: Confidence flourishes in a structured environment. This means setting clear guidelines for schedules, team meetings, and job roles. When team members know exactly what’s expected of them, they feel secure and confident in their roles.
- Professional Attire Equals Professional Confidence: Uniformity in professional attire significantly impacts team morale and confidence. Janice emphasized that consistent, high-quality uniforms create a cohesive team image. When team members look professional, they feel more confident and perform better.
- Communication Training: Frontline team members—those answering phones and interacting directly with patients—need more than just scripts. Janice recommends role-playing and listening to recorded calls to teach the nuances of patient communication. This not only builds team confidence but also enhances patient trust and satisfaction.
Building Confidence Through Leadership and Clarity
Throughout our conversation, Janice underscored the importance of consistency and clarity from leadership. Confident leaders set clear expectations and hold everyone, including themselves, accountable. This consistency creates a secure environment where team members know the boundaries and can confidently perform their duties.
Janice also stressed the importance of clear communication during team meetings. She recommends setting expectations in advance and celebrating successes publicly. This builds confidence by highlighting each team member’s strengths and contributions, creating a culture of positive reinforcement.
External Image and Patient Confidence
Janice expanded on how a practice’s external image—through branding, forms, and patient interactions—impacts patient confidence and trust. From the website to the new patient forms, every touchpoint shapes the patient’s perception of the practice.
Janice’s approach to Building Confidence and Hiring Strategies extends to how team members present themselves, how they communicate, and even how patient forms are designed. She advocates for streamlined, patient-focused paperwork that enhances the patient experience from the first interaction.
Strategic Consistency Equals Confidence
Janice repeatedly emphasized the importance of strategic consistency. This involves consistent leadership, consistent communication, and consistent expectations. When team members operate within a predictable and supportive environment, they are more confident and effective in their roles.
Moreover, consistent branding and communication foster patient confidence, leading to higher case acceptance rates and long-term loyalty.
My conversation with Janice Hurley was a powerful reminder that Building Confidence and Hiring Strategies are fundamental to a thriving dental practice. Confidence starts at the top, with leaders who hire strategically and lead consistently. When a practice cultivates a culture of confidence, it reflects in every patient interaction, building trust and driving growth.
Whether you’re struggling with hiring or looking to boost team confidence, start by evaluating your hiring process. Are you approaching it with confidence or desperation? Are you clearly communicating expectations? Is your team consistently representing the brand image you want to convey?
Janice’s insights are a valuable resource for any dental practice aiming to build a confident, high-performing team. If you found these strategies helpful, be sure to listen to the full episode of The High Performing Dental Team podcast, and reach out to Janice directly to see how she can transform your practice.
By focusing on Building Confidence and Hiring Strategies, you can transform your dental team into a cohesive, high-performing unit that not only meets but exceeds patient expectations.
