How to Lead Dental Employee Reviews That Actually Work: The 1–10 Practice Grade Technique

How to Lead Dental Employee Reviews That Actually Work: The 1–10 Practice Grade Technique

One of the fastest ways to build a loyal, high-performing team in your startup dental practice isn’t through bonuses or expensive retreats. It’s through one conversation—done well—at your dental employee reviews.

Now, I know. These conversations can feel uncomfortable, even draining. You didn’t get into dentistry to become a full-time HR manager. But if you’re opening your own practice, leading a team is part of the deal—and how you handle employee reviews can make or break your culture.

Why Dental Employee Reviews Deserve More Attention

During your annual employee reviews, you’re doing more than checking a box. You’re guiding your team. You’re shaping expectations. And, when done right, you’re fueling confidence, loyalty, motivation, and long-term vision.

And yet, dental schools skip this part entirely.

So here’s one of the most effective, simplest tools we teach our Ideal Practices clients—and you can start using it immediately.

The 1–10 Practice Grade Technique: A Simple Leadership Tool That Builds Loyalty

This technique takes less than 10 minutes, costs you nothing, and unlocks powerful insights you can use to lead more effectively.

Here’s how it works:

Ask your team member this one question during their review:

“On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you grade the practice as a place to work—and what would make it a 10?”

And then—pause. Let them answer. Really listen.

What happens next is where the magic lies. You’ll gain:

• Insight into what matters most to them

• Opportunities to solve issues before they become problems

• Creative ideas for improving systems, culture, or communication

• A stronger bond built on trust and respect

Even better? When people contribute to the improvement of something, they’re far more likely to stay invested in it. That’s the psychology of creative contribution.

Why This Technique Works So Well

People don’t stay for the paycheck alone. They stay when they feel seen, heard, and valued. The 1–10 Practice Grade opens the door to that kind of connection—especially in a startup, where the culture is still being shaped.

The real impact?

• More ownership from your team

• Less drama at the front desk or in ops

• A team that helps solve problems instead of creating them

Let’s Recap: Use the 1–10 Practice Grade Technique to Improve

• Team loyalty and retention

• Communication and morale

• Practice operations through better feedback

• Your confidence as a new practice owner

And yes, you’ll even walk away with ideas to make the business run better—straight from the people closest to the day-to-day operations.

Want a Pro-Level Resource for Dental Team Growth?

If you want more tools like this, I recommend reaching out to Ginny Hegarty—a respected HR and team development expert with decades of experience in dental practice management. Email her directly at Ginny@GinnyHegarty.com for a complimentary PDF of her chapter from Powerful Practice titled “Stop Kissing Frogs: How to Find, Manage and Keep the Best People.”

I’ve worked with Ginny personally and can tell you—she knows what she’s doing. If team culture matters to you (and it should), her insights are pure gold.

Final Thoughts for Startup Owners

If you're preparing to open your own dental practice, remember: building a practice isn’t just about drywall, chairs, and patient flow. It’s about building people.

Strong systems + loyal team = a practice that thrives.

Use this technique during your next employee review, and you’ll be amazed at the trust and buy-in you earn.

P.S. If you haven’t seen our step-by-step hiring guide (including how one doctor got 200+ great applicants), you can read it here:
Click to read the hiring article

Let’s make leadership one of your biggest strengths as a startup owner. You’ve got this.