How Your Hiring Process Is Costing You Hygienists

Finding a great hygienist is difficult enough in today's market. The last thing your practice needs is a hiring process that unintentionally drives qualified candidates away. In this episode of **Dental Drill Bits**, Sandy and Dana Pardue challenge one of the most common assumptions in dentistry: that the hygienist shortage is the only reason practices can't fill open positions. While the shortage is real, many practices are creating unnecessary barriers through slow decision-making, gatekeepers, personality assessments, and interview processes that put the doctor—the very person candidates want to meet—at the end of the process instead of the beginning. If you've ever had a hygienist accept your offer only to disappear before their first day, this episode may explain why. ## **Key Takeaways:** - Why your hiring process may be costing you great hygienists - The biggest mistake practices make during hygienist interviews - Why DISC is a powerful development tool—but a poor screening tool - Why licensed professionals want to meet the doctor early in the hiring process - How to remove unnecessary hiring roadblocks and move faster with confidence ## **Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:** 📣 **Identity Dental Marketing** – Strategic, ethical, brand-aligned marketing that works. 📊 **Practice by Numbers** – A unified platform that brings performance, workflows, and insights into one system—creating accountability without pressure and helping practices make smarter, data-driven decisions. ## **📲 Join the Conversation!** Have you ever lost a great hygienist during the hiring process? What's one change you could make this week to remove a roadblock for your next candidate? Join the conversation in the **Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group**. We'd love to hear what's working in your practice—and what hiring lessons you've learned along the way. ## **Upcoming Event** Front Desk Pro In-Person Seminar 📍 September 18, 2026 – Dallas, Texas 🎟️ Promo Code for $100 Off Tuition: Secret Sauce