The Dental HR Podcast

You've done all the wonderful delightful new-hire paperwork, and now it's months or years later. Raises, classification changes, full vs part time, benefits, schedule changes....how should you document these things? Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan to discuss this (super exciting) topic. Documentation is EVERYONE's favorite topic! (Maybe just Trisha's.) Learn the downsides of failing to document these common HR changes. In this tight labor market, you need to do everything possible to create trust and avoid preventable turnover. BEA Clients: refer to your Status Benefit Change Notice in the HR Director system! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Joining us today is Kara Kelley SPHR, SHRM-SCP, a Fractional HR Business Partner and CEO of Clinical HR LLC. Kara is a friend and colleague who helps make sense of the crazy world of HR. This discussion focuses on Artificial Intelligence in HR: hallucinations, hiring risks, what AI does really well right now, and where we might be going. Also be sure to check out her podcast with Amy Wood: Compliant AF, which explores many areas of compliance! https://www.compliantafpodcast.com/ You can learn more about Kara and Clinical HR here: www.clinicalhr.com To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

We are honored to chat with Abe Kasbo, Founder and CEO of Verasoni Worldwide. If you haven't seen Abe's incredible piece on Recruiting & Branding, check it out: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-brand-best-recruiter-verasoni-2tv5e/ Today we discuss Abe's views on how to stand out in this tight labor market, and how your team plays the key role in that. This is a wonderful concept merging HR and Branding. You can learn more about Abe and Verasoni here: https://verasoni.com/ To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

This episode continues our series on "Scary Letters" which are HR-related serious situations that often start with receiving a letter in the mail. Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins us to discuss scary letters from the state, or federal, labor boards. We discuss common reasons for these situations, how to respond, what the typical process looks like, and how these situations can easily spiral out to include other employees or even former employees. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan to break down 1099 contractor vs employee classification. We discuss the Dept of Labor and IRS criteria, why the word "independent" is so important in "independent contractor," and which dental positions might qualify as a contractor. What are the risks of misclassification? Could an associate dentist be a contractor? What about hygienists? For some light reading, check out the DOL info here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-employment-relationship To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP discuss all the nuances of Temporary Employees. What paperwork to use, can you classify them as 1099 contractors, employees vs temp agencies, Uber-like temp systems, payroll stuff, what if you like the temp better than your employee on maternity leave? Navigate temp workers safely with today's episode! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Join Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP for a discussion of Job Shadowing vs Student Internships. Learn the considerations and compliance risks of internships, paperwork required, and your role in the school program. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

In today's episode Alan and Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP share their past experiences with writing, editing, and updating employee handbooks in previous jobs. Trisha was stuck in middle management with too many executives involved. Alan received a free policy manual and made his own updates. In both cases, they struggled with compliance updates, old outdated cringy language, and the time it took. Trisha and Alan also discuss the good 'ole days of the early/mid 2000's when the laws were so much simpler. Join us to learn the pros and cons of DIY employee handbooks in 2026. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Have you struggled with multiple generations in your practice? Are the young workers a different breed, super weird, and talk funny? We are honored to have Ryan Vet on the show to help navigate this world. Ryan is a globally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and podcaster. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, launched startups, and spoken at over 1,000+ events. Join us as we dissect the generational metrics, future trends, how major events have shaped each generation, why Gen Z seems so casual, what Gen X'ers want, and more! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Did you hear the one about the fake penis at the drug testing facility? Or the pouch of pee under the employee's skirt? Join Trisha and Alan for Part 2 on Drug Testing in the workplace! Today we discuss fun stories of employees trying to fake their results. We also dive into the recommended process when you suspect something with an employee and you're not sure. We discuss the important reframing of Performance Issues vs Substance Abuse. Never a dull moment in HR! To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Today we're discussing Scary Letters (no not unemployment, that's not scary). Real scary letters are from attorneys representing former employees, threatening lawsuits and legal action, demanding settlements, etc. Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins Alan Twigg to break down where these scary letters come from, and the two common paths forward. Spoiler alert: if you have your HR stuff together, it's a whole lot better! Enjoy. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Join us today for our 4 predictions for HR trends in 2026! Alan covers what he sees coming this year, including: 1. The impact of AI on employee awareness 2. The pace of HR legal changes 3. Hiring and onboarding people from outside dental 4. Mental Health in the workplace What trends do you see coming in 2026? We'd love to hear your thoughts: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/ To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Have a great day!

Happy new year! To kick off 2026 we're discussing the common scenario of employees not following policies. We're joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP. Learn the steps and key management materials. Enjoy! Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/ To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/

Join us to discuss holiday parties and paid holidays! We are joined by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to discuss whether holiday parties are paid/unpaid, reducing liability, how to serve alcohol, what if marijuana is legal, religious accommodations, and when holidays are paid. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director Management System and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/ Got an idea for a future episode? Please tell us here: https://bentericksen.com/podcast-suggestions/

Today we're joined by Olivia Smith with OS Dental Consulting to discuss Situational Leadership! We discuss what it entails, how it helps you lead your team throughout the employment lifecycle, and how it relates to your big practice goals. This is great stuff for all practice leaders! Olivia Smith is a trusted consultant, coach, and national speaker with a passion for helping dental practices thrive. With experience supporting over 100 practices across the country, Olivia brings a wealth of knowledge in operations, practice transitions, team coaching, and training. Connect with Olivia at osdentalconsulting.com or email: [email protected]. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/

Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP joins us again to discuss the common topic of Working Interviews and Skills Assessments. As more practices hire from within and from outside the dental world, assessing a candidate's abilities becomes super important. The resume and interview only tell us so much. While it's logical to want to see a candidate in action, we will explain the nuances of both methods, the pros and cons, and the compliance risks. Bent Ericksen Clients: please refer to the Forms area of your HR Director account for the two agreements mentioned in today's episode. To learn more about Bent Ericksen's HR Director system and HR consulting, check us out: https://bentericksen.com/

Do you ever feel like you're just running from one crisis to the next? Today we explore the HR craziness of turnover using two analogies. Many practices struggle with turnover (both resignation and termination). With the costs of turnover painfully clear, how can we break the cycle and walk upstream to find the root cause? You can learn more about Bent Ericksen & Associates and our HR support here: bentericksen.com/

Today we're concluding our 3-part series on Pregnancy! This episode focuses on the return-to-work phase, when our employee comes back to the practice after the birth and the leave of absence. We have our fantastic senior HR Specialist Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP back with us. Join us to learn about nursing, pumping, what if the employee doesn't want to return, or doesn't want to return full-time, and more! You can learn more about Bent Ericksen & Associates and our HR support here: bentericksen.com/

Today we're back with Part 2 in our series on pregnancy in the dental practice. We have Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP back with us to discuss the necessary steps right before, during, and after the leave of absence from your practice. Learn about terminology, including Baby Bonding vs Maternity Leave. Also learn general recommendations and some of the requirements in dentistry. You can learn more about Bent Ericksen & Associates here: https://bentericksen.com/

Today we kick off a 3 part series on Pregnancy with our fabulous HR Specialist Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP. We will cover all 3 phases of pregnancy: the first phase when the employee is pregnant and still working, the second while they are out on leave, and the third when they return to work. In Part 1 today we discuss radiographs, nitrous, accommodations, morning sickness, discrimination claims, paperwork, and other key topics. Enjoy!

Are you in a business partnership with one or more dentists? Are you considering this someday? We have seen several dental partnerships dissolve recently, including some for preventable reasons. Don't wait until there's a conflict, get ahead of things and proactively discuss your goals, beliefs, values, expectations, and more. Taking action now will make for a successful and rewarding partnership! Check out our free guide on successful partnerships: https://bentericksen.com/guide-to-successful-partnerships-download/ Learn more about our recommended personality, communication, and team building tool the Drake P3: https://bentericksen.com/drake-p3-assessments/

Today we are joined by Chuck Cohen, Managing Director at Benco Dental, Abe Kasbo, CEO of Verasoni Worldwide, and Tim Twigg, Bent Ericksen guru extraordinaire. The recent issue of Incisal Edge included an HR Survey of dental practices. This episode is a debrief with Chuck, Abe, and Tim about the results. Join us for a fast-paced discussion about the dental labor market!

Today is all about drama, gossip, backstabbing, talking negatively about the practice, and more. We are joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to help us navigate this topic. Enjoy!

It's a topic no one wants to think about: workplace violence. And yet we have to talk about it, and we should talk about it. Join us to learn more about what workplace violence is, how to prevent it, and the new CA requirements. Here is a free Violence Prevention Checklist from Joyce: https://www.dentaledinc.com/wvp-opt-in Joyce Weeks is the owner and lead educator at Dental Ed, Inc., where she specializes in turning compliance chaos into confident action. With a background in immunology and global health, Joyce brings a science-based, people-centered approach to safety training — including the often-overlooked topic of workplace violence prevention. She’s passionate about helping dental teams create safer, more prepared work environments without the panic (and maybe even with a little humor). When she’s not translating regulations into real-world strategy, you can find her breaking down the science of infectious diseases to help dental professionals protect their patients, their teams, and themselves.

We talk about what to do, and today is all about what NOT to do. When you're interviewing, what are the questions to avoid? Are there questions you can't ask? Can you check an applicant's social media prior to hiring? Tune in to find out!

Join us today for a deep dive on rest breaks, meal periods, lunches, etc. What are you required to provide? What is the difference between federal and state rules? What is paid or unpaid? Enjoy!

Today we have some quick tips on Job Postings. How can you stand out from the crowd? What are some compliance considerations? How can you craft your Unique Employment Proposition? Enjoy!

Today we are joined again by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP for a discussion about attendance issues. Let's say an employee is showing up late or chronically calling out, what can you do? What if some or all of the absences are protected? Join us today as we break down the variables and provide guidance on each area!

Today is all about smartphone and smartwatch use in the practice. What can you do if an employee is always on their phone? What if your manager uses a phone for work? We're joined today by Trisha Lincoln SHRM-SCP to help us navigate this common topic. Enjoy!

Today we're revisiting "People Power", the HR Training course for dentists, spouses, and managers. There is a serious lack of comprehensive proper HR training in the dental field. On the podcast today are Michelle Allen and Adrienne Twigg, discussing this critical need. Join us today and learn how they are helping HR leaders gain confidence to handle the day-to-day HR challenges facing practices nationwide. Learn more here: https://bentericksen.com/people-power/

Payroll Deductions in HR: this is a very common topic, especially at the end of employment. What if someone doesn't return their key or uniforms? Do you have to get something in writing to make a payroll deduction? Can you deduct as much as you want? Today we explore this important topic and dig into the state-specific nuances. At the end we discuss other perspectives on deductions and turnover. Enjoy!

We were off last week for spring break, welcome back everyone! Today we have an episode on Obligations vs Opportunities. In HR we face both. Which is which and what do we do?

Today's episode covers the basics of handling a harassment claim. Harassment can come in many forms. How can you prevent it? What are your state requirements for training? How does everything unfold and in what order? Here is the Alerts page referenced: https://bentericksen.com/employment-compliance-alerts/ As always, don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or need help. Our team is here for you!

Today we have a short overview of state rules for final paychecks. When an employee leaves, how quickly do you have to pay them their final paycheck? What about direct deposit? Does it matter if they're fired or resigning? Listen to today's episode for all the answers!

Get ready for an epic discussion with Dr. Brad Chvatal, an amazing orthodontist in Eugene, Oregon. Dr. Brad has practiced and led a successful multi-location team for over 20 years. This is a fun and wide-ranging chat on many important HR topics: —Does anyone want to work anymore? —The dentist's role as a leader and their responsibility to their team —Hiring people from outside dentistry —Creating a culture where people want to work —Onboarding & Training —Coaching and Giving Feedback —Standards vs Rules —Interviewing using the "Speed-Dating" model —Establishing a Leadership Team —Delegating Tasks vs Delegating Vision —Goals and Reward Systems —Personal Growth as the Leader —HR Compliance and HR Systems —and much more!

Today is all about employee onboarding and courageous conversations with the legendary coach Katherine Eitel Belt of LionSpeak Coaching! We cover employee conflict, Katherine's recommendations for onboarding new team members, and the basics of "Courageous Conversations." Katherine is offering our listeners a free gift: a packet of downloadable resources on these important topics. Check it out! https://www.lionspeak.net/bea/ You can reach out to Katherine here: http://www.LionSpeak.net [email protected] (800) 595-7060

We are wrapping up our Bonus series today with our recommendations for how to set up a bonus system that actually works; one that motivates the team while increasing profit and paying for other expenses. Check it out! Here is a link to the tool mentioned in the show: https://bentericksen.com/bonus-pro/ If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to learn more about our BonusPro system, give us a call at (800) 679-2760 or email us at: [email protected]

Today we are continuing our series on Bonus Systems. This episode focuses on common reasons why bonus plans fail, or fail to motivate the team. Check out this quick episode to avoid making these mistakes! If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to learn more about our BonusPro system, give us a call at (800) 679-2760 or email us at: [email protected]

Today we begin a multi-part series on bonus & incentive systems in a dental practice. The focus today is why you should have a bonus system, what are the benefits, and how does a proper bonus system impact the team. If you'd like to schedule a free consultation call to discuss bonuses in your office, or to learn more about our BonusPro system, give us a call at (800) 679-2760 or email us at: [email protected]

The dreaded annual performance review! Today we're talking with Jennifer Dallas SHRM-CP about Performance Reviews. What are they, do we have to do them, what if we hate them, and what are the alternatives? If you're not a Bent Ericksen client and you'd like to receive a free copy of our Goal Setting & Progress Form, just click this link and let us know you're interested: https://bentericksen.com/contact-us/ Happy reviewing!

Today we're joined by the powerhouse father/daughter duo of Paul & Pam Sletten with The Sletten Group. One of their mottos is "Transitions not Transactions." With the ongoing changes, consolidations, and retiring dentists, many practices are changing hands. This has the potential for both success and failure. Today we dive into the weeds about all things related to transitions and acquisitions, from both the seller and buyer perspective. Enjoy! To contact The Sletten Group: www.theslettengroup.com 303-699-0990 [email protected]

Today we're doing a deep dive into the basics of CE for dental practices. We all have to deal with CE, regardless of our practice type or speciality. How does the money work? Are employees paid for their time? What about expenses? Join Alan on this episode breaking down the requirements and recommendations!

When it comes time to interview, what questions should you ask? What are the different categories and types of questions? In this episode we focus on interview questions, specifically Behavioral-Based questions and the value they bring to your process. Enjoy!

It's a common question, should I pay my team hourly or salary? What are the pros and cons? If I pay a salary can I avoid paying overtime? What does Exempt or Non-Exempt mean? Today we are joined by one of our senior HR Specialists, Rebecca Boartfield, to learn all about what you can and can't do, and which method is right for your office.

Today is a short episode for Alan's Why. We're hearing how Alan got into HR and why he continues to do this work. We hope you're all having a great summer and enjoying time off with your loved ones!

Today's episode is all about Job Descriptions. What are they, what you need to have in them, and how are they used. Lots of attention goes to policy manuals/employee handbooks. And yet Job Descriptions are the unsung hero of the HR world. They have tremendous value in the hiring, onboarding, and performance management phases. Enjoy!

Today's episode is all about the basics of HR compliance. Where do the laws come from? Do they apply to your practice? This conversation is straightforward without being too technical. Enjoy!

Today's episode is all about Paid Holidays. How do they work, which ones do you have to provide, what if an employee isn't working that day? Let's get into it!

This episode features Michelle Allen SPHR SHRM-SCP discussing the lack of proper HR training in dentistry. Dental schools aren't preparing graduates for the real world HR challenges, nor do Office Managers receive formal HR training. Adrienne and Michelle have some new resources to share with everyone!

The staffing shortage is here to stay, for a while at least. So how can you find good people? On this episode Adrienne and Alan discuss various ways to make your practice stand out, and how to attract your ideal team members.