Marguerite Morgan                      Margaret Kierans                         Dr. Jane Renehan

 

Overview

1. Salary Trends in the Dental Industry:

• The 2024 Salary Guide shows shifts in pay due to inflation, COVID-19, and market demands.
• Inflation from 2020-2024 increased by 18.5%, affecting real wage growth.
• Dental nurses and hygienists saw nominal wage increases but struggled to maintain purchasing power due to inflation.
• Salaries for dental associates shifted from 40%-50% splits over the years, highlighting changing market expectations.
• Practices need to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain staff.

 

2. Compliance in Dental Practices:

• Compliance is not a static state but an ongoing process integrated into daily operations.
• Major challenges include documentation, training, and adapting to evolving regulations.
• Inspectors have become more detailed and frequent in their evaluations.
• Practices risk penalties, equipment shutdowns, and operational disruptions if compliance is overlooked.

 

3. Support Staff Challenges:

• Many support staff (e.g., dental nurses) face stagnant wages and lack of career progression.
• Public sector jobs often attract staff due to clear pay structures, benefits, and work-life balance.
• Retention hinges on providing fair pay, flexibility, and a supportive work environment.

 

4. Insights from Dr. Jane Renahan:

• Compliance involves understanding risks, delegating responsibilities, and empowering staff.
• Effective communication and collaboration within practices are essential.
• Increasing regulation demands a structured and proactive approach from dental practices.
• Group practices and corporates are better positioned to handle compliance but may lack the personal touch of independent practices.

 

5. Advice for Women in Leadership:

• Overcome imposter syndrome and embrace confidence in your expertise.
• Maintain work-life balance and physical and mental health.
• Seek mentorship and build networks for support and growth.
• Learn from mistakes and continuously educate yourself.

 

6. Future Predictions for the Dental Industry:

• Increased regulation and the necessity for centralised compliance frameworks.
• Growth in group and corporate practices, balancing efficiency with personal care.
• Need for government support for small private practices in rural areas.

 

The Dental Chair Podcast: Insights into Salaries, Compliance, and the Future of Dentistry

In the final episode of The Dental Chair podcast, host Marguerite Morgan, Founder and Director of Irish Dental Jobs, brings her listeners a thought-provoking discussion on two vital aspects of the dental profession: salary trends and compliance. With her co-host Margaret Keirans, the Marketing Manager at Irish Dental Jobs, and guest expert Dr. Jane Renahan, a national authority on dental compliance, Marguerite guides her audience through the challenges and opportunities shaping the dental industry today.

This episode weaves together data-driven insights from Irish Dental Jobs’ 2024 Salary Guide and practical advice on compliance to offer a comprehensive look at the factors driving change in dental practices. Marguerite emphasises the importance of addressing these issues with care and understanding, reminding listeners that behind every professional decision is a person whose value should be recognised.
 

Salary Trends in Dentistry

Margaret opens the discussion by diving into the findings from Irish Dental Jobs’ 2024 Salary Guide, a project she has worked on extensively. With inflation skyrocketing by 18.5% between 2020 and 2024, compared to an annual average of just 1% before, Margaret highlights how this economic shift has dramatically impacted wages and purchasing power in the dental sector.

She explains how newly qualified dental nurses, who earned €13 per hour in 2020, now make €15 per hour—a 12.5% increase that seems positive at first glance. However, when adjusted for inflation, their real wages have actually decreased by 6%, leaving many struggling to keep up with rising costs. In contrast, dental hygienists have seen more substantial improvements, with hourly rates increasing from €30-€35 in 2020 to €60 in 2024, marking a real wage increase of 24%.

Marguerite adds her perspective, noting that practice owners face a difficult balancing act between offering competitive salaries and maintaining financial sustainability. “Support staff, particularly dental nurses, are receiving multiple job offers at the same time,” she observes, underscoring the urgency for practices to adapt. She stresses that it’s not just about pay but also about benefits and working conditions. “If you’re not offering what today’s professionals value, your competitors will.”

Margaret goes on to discuss the evolving expectations for dental associates, many seeking 50% splits in remuneration, up from the traditional 40% seen for much of the past decade. While Marguerite advises caution in applying this rate universally, she acknowledges that failing to meet these expectations could make it increasingly challenging to place associates in roles, even those with minimal experience.

The conversation ultimately ties back to the importance of retention. “It’s not just about hiring the right people,” Marguerite explains. “It’s about keeping them. Offering fair and transparent salaries, alongside opportunities for growth and appreciation, is key to long-term success.”

Compliance in Dentistry

Dr. Jane Renahan, a national expert in dental compliance, takes centre stage in the latter part of the episode. With decades of experience in clinical regulations and statutory guidelines, Jane offers a wealth of practical advice for dental professionals. She begins by addressing a common misconception: that compliance is a one-and-done achievement. “You’re never 100% compliant,” Jane states. “It’s a journey, not a destination.”

Jane emphasises that compliance must be integrated into the daily operations of a practice. This involves ongoing training, clear documentation, and effective communication among staff. She shares her approach to working with practices, which often begins with observing their operations and facilitating discussions among team members. “Your staff are usually solution-focused,” she notes. “Dental nurses, in particular, are excellent at identifying problems and coming up with practical solutions. Listening to them is key.”

Marguerite echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of empowering staff to take ownership of compliance-related tasks. She adds that delegating responsibilities not only fosters a sense of value among team members but also ensures that compliance becomes a shared effort rather than an overwhelming burden on practice owners.

The consequences of neglecting compliance can be severe, as Jane illustrates with a cautionary tale of a high-end specialist practice. After ignoring recommendations from an initial inspection, the practice faced unannounced visits from regulators, equipment shutdowns, and a long list of corrective actions. “You think compliance is expensive? Try non-compliance,” Jane warns. The costs of addressing regulatory failures far outweigh the investment required to maintain standards.

Looking to the future, Jane predicts an increase in regulation and calls for a more centralised approach to compliance. “Right now, it’s a mishmash out there,” she says. “Dentists need clear and unified standards to navigate their responsibilities effectively.” For smaller practices struggling to stay updated, Jane advises breaking compliance into manageable steps and leveraging the expertise of staff. “Documentation isn’t a mountain of paperwork sitting on a shelf,” she explains. “It’s something simple, like a one-page protocol or even a pictogram.”

Marguerite praises Jane’s approach, noting how her ability to listen and collaborate has earned her the respect of dental professionals across the country. “Your commitment to helping practices navigate compliance is inspiring,” Marguerite says. “It’s clear that your work is making a difference.”

 

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Dentistry

As The Dental Chair podcast wraps up its first season, Marguerite leaves listeners with an important reminder: treat every interaction with care and consideration. From salary negotiations to compliance management, the human element remains at the heart of dentistry.

The insights shared by Margaret and Jane highlight the interconnected challenges of attracting talent, retaining staff, and navigating regulatory landscapes. By offering fair pay, fostering a culture of compliance, and investing in their teams, dental practices can not only survive but thrive in an increasingly complex environment.

Whether you’re a practice owner, a job seeker, or someone considering a career in dentistry, the key takeaway is clear: success lies in continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence. As Marguerite says, “In recruitment and in life, people matter.”

For those who missed it, Irish Dental Jobs’ 2024 Salary Guide and Dental Insights and Trends brochure are available for purchase. And for those eager to hear more from Marguerite, Margaret, and their incredible guests, stay tuned for future seasons of The Dental Chair. Until then, Slán agus Beannacht!