Want your dream dental job? Avoid these 4 things.
Searching through job vacancies can be a bit of a tough task. It’s not fun, especially after a hard day’s work. It’s a daunting task. You read through the specifications and doubt whether you meet them or not. The demand for dental jobs in the UK is unpredictable, and it’s set to stay that way thanks to the challenge of Brexit and seemingly never-ending cuts to the NHS. If you’re thinking about a change in career path, or simply want to look for a new role elsewhere, it’s worth understanding what is important for you as a dentist the UK, even if you’ve been working here for years.
Today on the blog, we are discussing the five key things you should avoid doing in your next dental job.
Avoid Accepting a Small Holiday Allowance.
Being a dentist is physically and mentally exhausting. It’s not a 9-5, even if that’s your practice’s opening hours. You’re often in the practice from 8am and sometimes won’t leave until 6 or 7. The daily grind of dentistry is tough, and that’s why you should pay attention to your holiday allowance. Everyone needs a holiday to take time our and recharge the batteries. Before applying for or accepting any roles, find out the holiday entitlement. The average holiday allowance is 28-30 days, excluding bank holidays. Usually, you’ll be able to decide for yourself when you need a break. Your corporate may make you complete a “Holiday Request Form” which will require approval. This can make taking time out a bit of a bother, and they can reject your requests. Make sure you know the holiday policy before you agree to anything.
Avoid Accepting a role somewhere, where the staff turnover is high.
It can be hard to deliver quality dental care when a team isn’t a team. It’s a team effort that only strengthens over time. It can be hard to spot, but if you can avoid working for a practice with a high staff turnover, then do so. A quality dental practice should have high levels of staff retention. If the dentists and nurses and reception team have been working there for 15 years, 10 years, it must be a good place to work. If they are committed to the team, you can guarantee they are committed to their work, and that is a place you want to be.
Avoid practices that are stuck in the stone age.
We’re not saying that you should only join a modern practice, but if you’re in 2018 and they’re stuck back in 2008, consider whether that’s somewhere you really want to work. To deliver the best dentistry to patients, the practice should – where possible – move with the times. If you’re trained in all things digital dentistry and they’re stuck in the stone age, it’s probably not right for you. Look for a practice that wants to be the best and offer the best to patients. That’s the only way a practice will grow.
Avoid Long Notice Periods.
This might seem like a funny one. Your notice period determines how many months you have to work before leaving. The industry standard in dentistry is three months. Avoid jobs with long notice periods, such as 4 or 6 months. If you’re leaving, you’re leaving for a reason. Longer notice periods can cause people to become unmotivated. If you can, negotiate your notice period to match the industry standard.
There you have it – our four top things to avoid when looking for your next dental job. Are there any red flags you look out for when you are looking to find a new job? Let us know – we’d love to hear from you. Comment below, or get in touch with us via social media.
