I am very glad Dr. Jeffcoat shared her thoughts in "Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill" (November JADA). Who would not want to work in such a pleasant office or be treated in such a fashion?
I would like to share my thoughts on this issue. I think that, instead of discriminating against potential employees who have a "bad attitude," there should exist a method to train everyone to have a good attitude. If attitude should be a criteria for obtaining employment in these times, there should be programs to train, not only those adults needing attitude adjustment but, more importantly, children and students.
This can be accomplished by giving extra attention to the needs of the isolated child in school, eliminating the "exclusivity" that exists in clubs, dues-requiring clubs and other clubs that [have membership] requirements. Fraternities should not reject interested participants.
Dental schools should offer numerous classes that train interested students in thinking, behavior, rationalization, psychology and patient management. Instead of such intense concentration being put on passing tests, on getting an "A" or "B," and on learning fact upon fact for which students are rewarded by a grade, there should be more group activities, discussion sessions and reading materials outside of dentistry.
If dental school continues to be a place where facts and technical skills are stressed, you cannot suddenly say to the graduating student, "I’m not going to hire you because you have a bad attitude." The student did not receive training in that area. Please provide the student with the means to equip himself or herself. Then you are allowed to say, "You did not give it your best shot."
I have stressed training for dentists, but this also applies to dental assistants, hygienists and the front-desk staff. If dentistry is a team effort, then potential employees should have opportunities in their training to learn how to be a team. I cannot believe that relying on "intuition" to hire the "right" people is right or fair. All people want to be hired. All people want to do the right thing. They cannot yet again be rejected. Instead, let us help them and, as a society, create perfect employees.
