Let’s face it—dentistry would be so much easier if we could just treat teeth and not have to manage the wild, unpredictable beast known as “The Dental Team.”

You’ve got:

• Jan the hygienist who’s been silently feuding with Sarah the assistant for 7 years over an incident involving a broken cavitron tip.

• Mike at the front desk who is totally fine but slams drawers harder than a toddler denied ice cream.

• And let’s not forget Linda, who keeps saying “I’m not trying to start anything, BUT—”

Spoiler alert: She’s starting something.

Welcome to the real world of dental practice management, where you don’t just perform molar endo—you’re also a part-time therapist, referee, motivational speaker, and hostage negotiator.

But fear not, dear dentist. Conflict doesn’t have to kill your vibe (or your production numbers). With the right strategy, a pinch of humor, and maybe a peace offering in the form of tacos, you can bring harmony back to the operatory.

Why Conflict Happens (Other Than Mercury in Retrograde)

People are complex. You’re putting a group of smart, strong-willed individuals in a high-stress, tight-schedule environment—and asking them to smile while arguing with Delta Dental.

What could go wrong?

Here are the most common causes:

• Miscommunication: “I thought YOU sterilized that!”

• Misalignment: “Why does she get to leave early every Friday?”

• Misunderstanding: “I didn’t know you were using that chair for whitening, Susan. My bad… kind of.”

• Miscellaneous: aka the full moon.

How to Diffuse Dental Drama Without Losing Your Mind

1. Don’t Avoid It. Address It—Before It Escalates into a Cold War

Avoiding conflict is like ignoring a small cavity. It doesn’t go away—it just grows until someone needs a root canal… or quits mid-shift.

REAL STORY: One office ignored the fact that their lead assistant and hygienist hadn’t spoken for two weeks (they communicated by passing sticky notes like moody 7th graders). Tension got so high that the doctor walked in one morning to find the ultrasonic cleaner mysteriously “unplugged.” Coincidence? We think not.

Pro tip: When you notice tension, pull them aside—together—and ask the most powerful question in management:

“What’s going on here, and how can we fix it?”

Then shut up and listen.

2. Don’t Pick Sides—Pick Solutions

You’re the boss, not Judge Judy.

Even if you totally agree with one side, be the neutral party that facilitates resolution. Otherwise, the team turns into a reality show where people form alliances and whisper in sterilization like it’s tribal council.

Try this instead:

“It sounds like there’s been a breakdown in communication. Let’s talk through what both of you need moving forward.”

And if that fails:

“We’re all adults here. Act like it… or I will make everyone sit in the break room and watch OSHA training videos on loop.”

3. Use Humor to Break the Ice (and Maybe the Tension)

A well-timed joke can save lives—or at least save your practice from imploding over whose turn it was to restock the fluoride varnish.

REAL OFFICE MOVE: One dentist handled a front-desk vs. assistant clash by walking into the break room with a referee shirt, blowing a whistle, and announcing “Round 1—let’s get it all out!”
Laughter erupted. Walls came down. They hashed it out. Harmony was restored. (Tacos were involved. Always involve tacos.)

4. Get to the Root, Not Just the Symptoms

The problem is rarely really about who parked in the wrong space. It’s about feeling underappreciated, overworked, or left out of decisions.

When conflict erupts, dig deeper. Ask:

• “What would make you feel supported?”

• “What’s something you need from your teammate to work better together?”

• “How can we improve the system so this doesn’t happen again?”

Remember: behind every sarcastic comment is a deeper need. Behind every slammed cabinet is a cry for help (or maybe just too much caffeine).

5. Recognize When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Some conflicts just can’t be fixed. If someone is the recurring cause of drama, toxicity, or stress—it might be time to part ways.

You can’t fix attitude with a staff meeting. If someone’s behavior is poisoning the vibe, don’t wait for it to turn into a full-blown soap opera.
Your peace of mind and your team’s morale are worth protecting.

As one seasoned dentist put it:

“I’d rather run a lean team of legends than a full schedule with a bunch of divas.”

Amen.

Bonus Tips to Keep the Peace Long-Term

• Weekly huddles: Talk it out before it blows up.

• Celebrate wins: Recognition reduces resentment.

• Clarify roles: Confusion causes conflict.

• Have a drama policy: Yes, seriously. Put it in writing.

• Laugh together often: A team that laughs together, lasts together.

Final Thought: You’re Not Running a Practice—You’re Leading a Family (A Weird, Tooth-Focused Family)

Dental conflict is inevitable. You’ve got tight quarters, unpredictable schedules, strong personalities, and the daily joy of trying to explain insurance to confused patients. Of course tempers flare.

But conflict doesn’t have to kill your culture.

Handled right, it becomes the catalyst for stronger bonds, clearer communication, and a team that has each other’s backs—even during a surprise walk-in molar extraction.

So the next time you see a storm brewing between team members, don’t just hope it blows over.
Step in. Lean in. Resolve it.

And if all else fails—bring donuts.

Because in dentistry, just like in life, sugar helps everything go down smoother.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com