Elevating Dentistry, One Hire at a Time with Wendy Aldhamen

Hiring feels more complex than it should, especially in dentistry. Short-staffed teams. Rushed interviews. Costly mis-hires. In this episode, Dr. Aditi Agarwal sits down with Wendy Aldhamen, Founder of Career Elevation, to break down how dental practices can hire better, faster, and more intentionally without burning out their teams or compromising culture. Whether you’re a practice owner, associate dentist, or team leader, this conversation will change how you think about recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding in today’s competitive market. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:03 – Wendy’s journey: from dental assistant to hiring leader. 04:27 – How dental hiring has changed over the last 5 years (and in 2025). 06:42 – The most common hiring mistakes dentists make under pressure. 09:52 – What a strong, effective dental interview really looks like. 11:53 – Must-ask interview questions to assess culture fit and accountability. 14:57 – What associate dentists should be asking during interviews. 22:08 – High-impact onboarding strategies that work, even in busy practices. 25:25 – Building repeatable hiring systems without losing the human touch. 34:55 – How to connect with Wendy. About the Speaker Wendy Aldhamen has been in dentistry for over a decade, starting as a dental assistant in 2010 and growing into an office manager and hiring leader by 2014. Experiencing both toxic and thriving practice cultures firsthand shaped her passion for helping dental teams get hiring right. In 2019, she founded Career Elevation, where she has since helped place hundreds of dental professionals by aligning the right people with the right practices. Today, Wendy is a CEO, speaker, and coach dedicated to making recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding easier and more human for dentistry. Exclusive Listener Offer Wendy is offering something special to our listeners. The first three people who reach out will receive either 1. A free, professionally written resume (for candidates exploring new opportunities), or 2. A complimentary 1-hour recruiting coaching session (for practice owners or leaders) Don’t miss it, this is a limited offer! Stay Connected with Practice Pulse! If you found this podcast helpful, 👍 Like the video 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway or 2026 goal 🔔 Subscribe to the Practice Pulse Podcast for more real, practical conversations on modern dentistry