Why You Should Be Hiring Outside of the Dental Industry

Some of my best hires over the last ten years have come from outside of the dental industry. While this concept isn’t new, it’s one that still brings hesitation to many dental offices. The idea of hiring someone without dental experience can feel like a gamble—but in reality, it’s one of the smartest hiring strategies you can use.

Expanding Your Talent Pool

One of the biggest challenges in hiring within dentistry is the limited candidate pool. By restricting your search to only those with dental experience, you’re competing with every other office for the same small group of applicants. Broadening your search beyond the industry opens the door to a wealth of talented individuals with valuable skills in customer service, leadership, time management, organization, and problem-solving—many of which are harder to teach than dental-specific knowledge.

Think about it—what makes an exceptional front desk coordinator? What defines a great office manager? Is it their ability to recite CDT codes from memory, or is it their ability to handle patient concerns with grace, lead a team effectively, and keep the office running smoothly?

Stronger Skill Sets, Better Attitudes

Retail and hospitality professionals, for example, are trained in customer service and thrive in fast-paced environments. They’re used to handling complaints, working under pressure, and keeping operations moving efficiently—all while maintaining a smile. The same goes for those coming from industries like banking, healthcare administration, or corporate customer service roles.

On top of their transferable skills, many of these professionals find the dental field to be an upgrade in work-life balance. If you hire someone from retail or the restaurant industry, imagine their excitement when they realize they no longer have to work nights, weekends, or major holidays. That kind of job satisfaction can lead to lower turnover and higher employee engagement—both of which are invaluable for maintaining a stable team.

Financial Benefits for Your Practice

Hiring outside the industry can also be a strategic financial decision. Candidates from retail, hospitality, and other service industries often have lower starting salary expectations than seasoned dental professionals, making it easier to hire the right person at the right price. Instead of overpaying for a candidate with years of experience but a poor attitude, you can invest in someone who is eager to learn and grow with your practice.

Experience Doesn’t Always Equal Success

Let’s be honest—how many times have you hired someone with a strong dental background, who interviewed well, only to find out they were an underperformer or a culture killer? Experience doesn’t always translate into work ethic, a positive attitude, or alignment with your office values. In fact, sometimes experienced dental hires bring baggage—bad habits from previous offices, resistance to change, or a sense of entitlement based on their years in the field.

At one point, every single team member was new to the dental industry—including your very best employee. So why not take the time to train the right personality for the job instead of hiring based solely on a set of skills listed on a resume?

Train for Skills, Hire for Personality

It’s much easier to teach someone how to verify insurance than it is to teach them how to be kind, proactive, and solution-oriented. A positive, adaptable candidate with no dental experience but a strong work ethic will outperform an experienced but toxic hire every time.

When you prioritize personality, work ethic, and a willingness to learn over industry experience, you create a stronger, more cohesive team that actually enjoys working together. And in a profession where patient experience and office culture are everything, that’s worth its weight in gold.

So next time you’re hiring, don’t limit yourself. Take a chance on someone outside the dental industry—you might just find your next superstar.