The most important part of a practice, aside from the patients, is the dental team. They are the heartbeat of everyday care, and will be working together closely to ensure excellent clinical standards are kept to and that they can develop as professionals. When you're hiring a new dentist, you're not just looking for a candidate to fill a spot in your team - you want to find a new addition to a tight-knit group that will bring something new to your practice.

The key to success may lie in the perfect job description, which grabs the attention of the right potential candidates. Here are five points to consider, and ensure you use it to your advantage.

1. Identify your dream dentist

The first step any practice must take is an analysis of what their new team member would need to do every day, as this will impact how you go about your recruiting process.

Looking at the make-up of your practice, do you need an experienced head or would you be able to introduce a recent graduate? Your business needs will change what you include in your job description, and how you frame it. Maybe you would like your practice to expand into more orthodontic work, or aesthetic treatments such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers to reach new audiences. Your new hire could have already undergone the training to perform these, or you might be offering a course, but including it in the description from the outset helps to define your vision and attract relevant candidates.

2. Get into their shoes

You should also consider what a dentist is looking for when they are considering taking on a new role. At the minute, more dentists than ever before are wanting an opportunity to develop their private dental services. As such, advertising if this opportunity is available could be attractive to and encourage applicants.

This applies to a variety of other elements of dentistry. More people than ever before are looking to work part time,1 and with greater coverage in recent years, the shift to a four-day work week is preferred by 80% of the UK.2 If your advertised role could work this way, shout about it!

3. Show off your existing team

Whilst you are likely looking for someone who can bring something new to your team, candidates may be wondering what your practice's culture is already like and how it may suit them. Don't be shy when talking about the experiences of your clinicians, and the possibility to learn from them. If the role has opened up because a young professional has left after growth under your roof, it may be worth mentioning - it says a lot about your constructive and supportive working environment!

You don't need to mention names, but this could be beneficial if team members have a larger profile in some dental circles. Embrace what you already have, and treat your job description as a CV to be read by jobseekers.

4. Stability is key

Despite the push for private care from many individuals in the profession, including a mention of an NHS dental contract, whether it is a general or personal dental services (PDS) contract, could be helpful. It's a sign of stable income potential, which could be attractive to a candidate at any stage in their career.

Making clear the number of units of dental activity (UDAs) that would be expected to be fulfilled is important, but ensure this number is divided throughout the practice with care. Too many UDAs can make the role unattractive to the candidate looking for some private care freedom, too few may not provide the promise of sufficient stability.

5. Don't advertise alone

Finally, it's important that you can actually get your role in front of the right candidate. You can't get your dream hire if they never see that you're advertising for the role, after all. Campaigning on your website is helpful, but limits your potential reach. Social media advertising can raise awareness, but you need to be selective with the broader range of responses you will receive. The audience will likely scope international clinicians, who you may not be looking to employ at this time, especially if they do not have the experiences, licences and, in some circumstances, visa statuses that you require.

The solution may include seeking help from a specialist recruitment agency like Dental Elite. With our finger on the pulse, Dental Elite will know when and where to market your vacancy to find the right applicant, with a dedicated recruitment team on hand to help you throughout the whole process. Candidates are screened before they are sent in your direction, so you know you're only interviewing the best of the best. Plus, we work on a no placement, no fee basis, for guaranteed peace of mind.

The job description is the first point of reference for any candidate looking at your role. Getting it right is key, and means you need to understand what an individual will want to know about you. By having an idea of the clinician you wish to employ, and getting your vacancy in front of the right people, your team can be one member to the good in no time.

For more information on Dental Elite visit www.dentalelite.co.uk, email or call 01788 545 900.