Running a successful dental practice takes more than great clinical skills and a full schedule. It also requires a strong, motivated team working in sync toward common goals. Yet one of the most powerful tools for building that kind of team is often overlooked in dentistry…the annual performance review.
In many dental practices, performance reviews are done irregularly, if at all. Some practice owners fear the process will be uncomfortable or time-consuming. Others assume their staff already knows how they’re doing. But skipping formal reviews is a missed opportunity.
Annual performance reviews aren’t just about assessing employee performance, they’re about communication, development, accountability, and retention. Let’s explore why they matter and how they can transform your dental team and practice culture.
Clear Communication Builds Stronger Teams
Regular communication is essential in any workplace, but day-to-day conversations are often focused on tasks and logistics. Performance reviews create dedicated time to discuss what’s going well, what could improve, career goals and aspirations, and expectations and standards.
This kind of open dialogue builds trust. When team members know where they stand and feel heard, they’re more likely to stay engaged and aligned with the practice’s goals.
Reviews Help You Retain Top Performers
High-performing dental team members often leave jobs not because of money, but because they feel undervalued or overlooked. An annual review is your chance to recognize hard work and reliability, professional growth, and contributions to patient care and team morale.
Acknowledging their efforts helps your best employees feel appreciated and motivated to stay long-term. It’s also a great time to talk about raises, bonuses, or advancement opportunities, before someone else offers them a better package.
Accountability Improves Performance
On the flip side, reviews are an appropriate and professional way to address underperformance or recurring issues. If a team member is falling short in areas like clinical accuracy, timeliness, team collaboration and communication with patients.
A structured review gives you the space to provide feedback and outline specific expectations for improvement. Rather than bottling up frustration or letting problems fester, you address them constructively, with documentation to support future decisions, if necessary.
When done well, reviews create a culture where everyone is accountable, not just the top performers.
They Support Employee Development
Your team wants to grow, and not just financially. Dental assistants may want to specialize or get certified in expanded functions. Hygienists may be interested in leadership or advanced training. Front office staff may want to learn more about insurance or treatment coordination.
Annual reviews provide the perfect platform to talk about continuing education interests, career development paths, cross-training opportunities, and long-term goals within your practice.
By aligning their growth with your practice’s needs, you help employees develop, and reduce turnover by giving them a reason to stay
They Help Practice Owners Become Better Leaders
Performance reviews aren’t just about the employee, they’re also an opportunity for practice owners and managers to grow. You may hear valuable feedback like “I’m not always sure what’s expected of me.”, “I’d like more training on the software we use.”, “It would help to have more consistent morning huddles.”
These insights can lead to better systems, more efficient workflows, and a more cohesive team culture.
When you model openness to feedback, it sets the tone for everyone else and improves overall communication in your practice!!
Reviews Drive Alignment with Practice Goals
A well-run dental practice has clear goals, whether that’s increasing case acceptance, improving the patient experience, or boosting hygiene production. Annual reviews are your opportunity to connect individual performance to collective results.
For example, a hygienist can see how reactivation efforts impact recall numbers, a front desk coordinator can understand how scheduling accuracy affects daily production, and an assistant can take pride in their role in increasing treatment efficiency.
When team members understand how their role contributes to the bigger picture, they take more ownership, and your practice becomes more focused and goal-driven!
Structured Reviews Prevent Surprises
Nothing demoralizes a team member faster than hearing unexpected negative feedback during a raise conversation, or worse, a termination. Regular performance reviews prevent this by keeping feedback ongoing, clear, and documented.
If someone is underperforming, the review process gives you a written record of previous discussions and expectations, helping protect you legally and ethically.
Tips for Effective Dental Practice Performance Reviews
- Schedule them annually and stick to it.
- Prepare in advance using a structured form or checklist.
- Include self-assessments so employees can reflect on their own performance.
- Be specific—use examples, not generalities.
- Focus on growth, not just critique.
- Follow up with action plans, goals, or training where needed.
Annual performance reviews don’t need to be stressful, they should be empowering. They’re your opportunity to build trust, retain great staff, correct course where needed, and align your team with your vision.
In the dental industry, where teamwork and efficiency directly affect patient care and profitability, reviews aren’t a chore, they’re a competitive advantage.
Make time for them! Make them meaningful! Your team, and your practice, will be better for it!
Sherri Merritt
Dental Consultant & Trainer
