Productivity can be seriously affected when new persons join an existing group and little or no attention is given to the process by which that person becomes a member of the group practice. Parallels can be drawn between organizational management and the functioning of the dental team. Observations were made of three clinicians who attempted to join an existing dental delivery group. There are some predictable phases through which the joiner passes to acceptance or lack of acceptance in an existing group. Recommendations for groups to consider before either hiring or training members of a dental health group are given.