Creating a Wow Welcome: Top Tips for Welcoming New Team Members into a Dental Practice

First impressions are everything, and you want to make sure that your onboarding process makes your valued recruit feel comfortable right from the get-go. We know that recruiting new team members is not always easy and providing a positive and streamlined experience is crucial.

What is a ‘WOW’ welcome?

Warm Welcome: Express enthusiasm and appreciation even before the new employee's first day of employment.

Onboarding: Outline your induction and training plans. By setting clear guidelines and goals, you establish a strong foundation for their success and integration into the practice.

Way of Life: Introduce new employees to your practice's culture and values early on.

So, you have got through the tortuous and often length business of advertising and then interviewing candidates to finally offer your job to the right person, who has accepted the role. Now you must create your own ‘WOW’ welcome. This means tailoring your onboarding process, sharing your business culture and values, and ensuring a warm welcome.

Here are my top tips to make new team members feel welcome and part of the team from the beginning:

1. Start Their Journey Before Day One: Don't wait until the new employee's first day to start the onboarding process. Implement a pre-boarding workflow that allows new hires to complete necessary paperwork and provide essential details before their official start date. Additionally, ensure that their workspace, equipment, and resources are prepared and readily available, so they can hit the ground running and feel welcomed from the moment they step into the practice. I recommend reaching out to them with a welcome message or phone call, expressing your excitement about their arrival and emphasising how they will contribute to the dental practice's success.

2. Create a positive and streamlined onboarding experience for your staff member by customising the process to fit their needs. Develop different onboarding templates for different departments within your practice. This tailored approach will help new team members feel supported and engaged right from the start.

3. Showcase Your People and Company Culture: Make a great first impression by showcasing your dental practice's people and unique culture. Share company photos, welcome videos, and relevant information. Additionally, consider creating an organisational chart to help new employees understand the practice's structure and reporting lines. Welcoming new staff publicly and announcing their arrival develops a sense of belonging and encourages relationship building.

4. Add a Personal Touch: Recognise that onboarding is not a one-size-fits-all process. Customise the onboarding workflow by selecting tasks that align with the new employee's talent profile. By personalising the experience, you show that you value their individuality and are invested in their success within the practice.

5. Make sure they have everything they need before day one: If your employee is going to need any kind of technology, a desk to be set up, uniform or any other resources, be sure that all of this is set up before the start date. When an employee walks into a new job and nothing is set up for them, it’s going to make them feel unimportant and awkward. I always recommend going the extra mile here, have a personalised and branded mug or water bottle ready for them on the first day.

By implementing these top tips, you can create your own "Wow Welcome" in your dental practice. Remember, a positive onboarding experience sets the tone for their entire journey and contributes to their long-term engagement and success in your business. These simple steps will help them feel valued and, if you get it right, everyone will reap the rewards!