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Posted by: Dental Design 11th March 2022

Working as a team is a simple concept, and is generally accepted as the foundation of positive work ethics, exceptional patient care and general team wellbeing and productivity.[i] However, putting teamwork into practice is not always as easy as it seems. There are many barriers to effective teamwork and breaking these down is the best way to boost efficiency and profitability within the practice. Here at Colosseum Dental UK, we are dedicated to ensuring that our members are supported, well-trained and motivated to work together and always do their best.

Barriers to teamwork

A lack of organisation can leave the team feeling unsure and unenthusiastic. Similarly, a lack of communication can increase the risk of errors being made, potentially dissatisfying the patient and causing unnecessary stress on other team members. In times when it’s needed most, communicating can be difficult for someone under a lot of pressure – for example, if the dentist is dealing with a particularly difficult case, they may struggle to communicate calmy to the dental nurse, who in turn may feel frustrated and unable to do their job confidently. A lack of training can have rippling effects on the dental team, as the individual may feel insecure and anxious, and so other team members may have to shoulder more responsibility, potentially creating friction within the practice.

Overcoming and persevering

Whether the dental team is large or small, good communication, organisation and direction is key to enhancing patient care and team enthusiasm. Researchⁱ has shown that for a team to develop efficiently, there are several stages that they pass through:

Forming – The team is unsure of their tasks at this stage. Communication may be superficial and impersonal
Storming – Conflict may arise between staff members, as well as some frustration at the lack of progress in certain tasks
Norming – Communication patterns are established and the task at hand is confronted
Performing – Every team member is focused on achieving goals, in a supportive, open, trusting and resourceful environment

The dental team will be made up of many different people, all who work in a way that suits them and it’s very likely that some may clash. Working as a team is not always a smooth process, and getting everyone on board can be tricky. At Colosseum Dental UK, our mission is to ensure that every team member has a voice, is heard and respected, so all team members and patients alike are satisfied. Our working environment and the access to support are optimised to minimise any challenges, and facilitate as smooth a team integration as possible.

Why Colosseum Dental?

Alongside a welcoming, family-like atmosphere, our dental nurses can appreciate everything else we have to offer. Because we’re passionate about progression, we have opportunities for CPD, the chance to work across different specialisms and provide plenty of support, so you know we have every confidence in you to succeed. We’ve also invested time and money into refurbishing our clinics and equipping them with the latest tech, because we want you to be proud to come to work. But don’t take it from us, hear it from our dental nurses! Rachel Bray, a dental nurse at Market Place Dental Clinic, comments:

“I joined Colosseum Dental as a receptionist in Feb 2018, with the hope to start a career and become a dental nurse in the future. I got extremely lucky and was offered a trainee dental nursing position on my first day with Colosseum.

“I have since completed an 18-month apprenticeship provided by the company and am now a fully qualified dental nurse.

“Throughout the apprenticeship, my colleagues always offered help. The company and my manager ensured I was given the time required each week to complete my online webinars, coursework and revision.

“On qualifying, Colosseum Dental awarded me for my dedication and I received a personal message from the CEO, which made me feel like a valued member of the Colosseum team.”

Get in touch to start your journey with Colosseum Dental

Dentistry can be challenging, but it’s also highly enriching and a happy team can enhance this further. At Colosseum Dental UK, we truly value every member and believe that, regardless of what pathway you’d like to take, we can get you to where you need to be. If working in an inspiring and friendly environment is important to you, why not get in touch with the team to find out more?

For more information, please visit https://www.colosseumdental.co.uk/careers/job-opportunities/dental-nurses

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[i] Babiker, A., El Husseini, M., Al Nemri, A., Al Frayh, A., Al Juryyan, N., Faki, M.O., Assiri, A., Al Saadi, M., Shaikh, F. and Al Zamil, F. (2014). Health care professional development: Working as a team to improve patient care. Sudanese journal of paediatrics. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4949805/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2022.