By: Melissa Barlock
The Cost of a Quick Hire
When a team member leaves, the pressure to fill the role quickly can be intense. Patients are booked, schedules are tight, and the team is stretched thin. It’s tempting to hire the first qualified candidate who walks through the door, but rushing this step often comes with hidden costs.
The Hidden Costs of Rushing a Hire
- Turnover: A poor fit usually means you’ll be back to recruiting again within months.
- Lost Productivity: Training someone who leaves soon after wastes valuable time and energy.
- Team Disruption: A mismatch can create friction, stress, and lowered morale for everyone.
- Patient Experience: Patients notice when the energy in the office isn’t cohesive.
Why Fit Matters More Than Speed
The best teams aren’t just skilled—they share values, communicate effectively, and trust one another. A thoughtful hiring process ensures that a new team member strengthens the culture you’ve worked hard to build. Taking the time to evaluate both competence and compatibility pays off in the long run.
How to Avoid the “Quick Hire Trap”
- Clarify your values first. Know what qualities make someone successful in your office.
- Use structured interviews. Ask behaviour-based questions that reveal work style and problem-solving.
- Get team input. A candidate who connects well with your team is more likely to stay long term.
- Prioritize soft skills. Technical skills can be trained—character and communication are harder to teach.
An empty chair may be stressful, but the wrong hire is even costlier. By slowing down and focusing on alignment, you’ll build a team that lasts—and one that patients love returning to.
👉 At Enspire Dental Opportunities, we specialize in helping offices hire smarter and support long-term success through coaching, team training, and DiSC assessments. If you’d like to strengthen your hiring process, let’s connect.
Enspire Dental Opportunities is looking forward to working with you.









