How one dental assistant helped his co-workers get raises
It’s undeniable that dental assistants bring immense value to their practices. As such, they want to be paid according to their worth. Pay is one of the top factors that influence dental assistant job satisfaction. It’s also the number one reason dental assistants leave their jobs or the profession altogether. DANB conducts research — such as the Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey and the Financial Impact of Dental Assistants on the Dental Practice report — to not only help measure the value of dental assistants, but also allow them to advocate for fair compensation.
One dental assistant, Kishan Patel, CDA, COA, CPFDA, CRFDA, recently used this data to help advocate for better dental assistant pay at his practice. The efforts were successful, and both the dental assisting staff and practice as a whole have reaped the benefits. DANB recently sat down with Patel to learn more about his efforts and their impact.
You helped lead efforts to increase dental assistant pay in your practice. How did this come about?
I noticed a high turnover rate among our dental assistants, and it seemed many viewed their roles as just a job rather than a profession. To address this, I organized a meeting to gather their feedback. Many shared that they felt undervalued compared to the demands of their work. This prompted me to research industry salary standards for dental assistants in our area.
What inspired you to help advocate for better dental assistant pay in your practice?
I believe that dental assistants are the “heart” and “lifeline” of the dental clinic. They play a crucial role in patient care as well as the overall efficiency of our practice. I also noticed the impact of low pay on their morale and retention. When assistants felt undervalued, it affected not only their job satisfaction but also the quality of care we provided. This inspired me to create a positive work environment where our team felt recognized and motivated. Ultimately, I believe that investing in our dental assistants will lead to a happier, more productive team and better patient outcomes.
How significant was the pay increase?
Our practice increased the hourly pay rate for non-experienced assistants by 38%. After three months, they take the Radiation Health and Safety exam to become an RHS certificate holder. As a result, we provide a $2 per hour raise. For experienced assistants, we were able to increase pay by 35%.
How did you advocate for dental assistants to your practice leaders?
I highlighted several factors to our leadership while addressing this issue.
I researched the market, including the DANB Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey, and gathered data on what other practices in our area were paying. This data showed where we stood in the market. Also, I included data regarding non-clinical and non-healthcare jobs and their pay (e.g., Target, Walmart, food chains), which were more than what we were offering.
I shared feedback from our team about their perspectives on pay, emphasizing how they felt undervalued in comparison to their efforts and hard work.
I outlined our experience hiring non-experienced assistants. After receiving training, many began looking for jobs elsewhere. A common reason I heard was that they started at a low hourly wage, but could earn more elsewhere with their new experience. This highlighted the time, effort, and financial resources we lost during that training period, ultimately leaving us in the same position as before.
This convinced our leadership to try a new pay rate to see how it would affect dental assistants’ morale and productivity.
How did this affect dental assistants’ morale?
I, along with our leadership team, noticed a significant positive impact on dental assistant morale. The effects were:
- Reduced turnover rates: We noticed a reduction in turnover rates, with assistants more likely to stay with the practice, leading to a more stable and experienced team. Some of our assistants have reached the two-year mark.
- Increased job satisfaction: Many assistants expressed feeling more valued and appreciated for their hard work, which enhanced their overall job satisfaction.
- Improved productivity: Assistants became more engaged in their roles, resulting in increased productivity and better patient care.
- Professional development: Many dental assistants took on additional responsibilities and pursued further training and certifications, demonstrating their commitment to both their roles and the practice.