Conflict Resolution In the Dental Office

Conflict is a fact of life, especially in the workplace. Spending long hours together, especially if employees aren’t clear on which responsibilities are whose, can create fertile ground for conflict to arise. Because of this, it’s important that you are prepared for conflict in the dental office and how to deal with it. Whether your a new start-up dental office with new personalities or an experienced office, knowing how to deal with conflict is essential to practice success.

Causes Of Conflict

Below are a few of the most common causes of conflict in a dental office:

• Misunderstanding – Misunderstandings are common in any office setting. A simple way to avoid misunderstandings is to have your employee repeat an instruction back to you. If he or she is missing something, you can make sure they fully understand before moving on. Sometimes, even if we think we’re communicating clearly, we really aren’t and this isn’t your employee’s fault. Avoiding misunderstandings can make sure everyone is on the same page.
• Lack of Communication – If your employees are unsure of your expectations, conflicts may arise. It’s important that you make each responsibility clear to each employee; otherwise, conflict may arise. It’s a good idea to put job descriptions for each employee in a book where everyone can read them and be aware of what is expected of them.
• Controversy – Controversy will arise when someone feels like they’re taking care of someone else’s responsibilities or when they feel as if someone else is trying to do their job for them. You may begin to hear the phrase “that’s not my job” thrown around quite a bit, and this can cause resentment and conflict among the employees. Because your employees look to you for an example, make sure you take on a few extra responsibilities now and then with a happy attitude. This will foster a sense of service in the office, and your employees will no longer feel resentment about helping out in other areas.

Here at CTC National, our conflict resolution course can help you understand why conflict arises in the workplace, and how you can diffuse it. This is invaluable information to have if you want to keep your employees happy and your practice running smoothly.

To sign up for a training course through CTC National, or if your office is in conflict and you’d like to speak with a dental consultant, please contact our office today.