Marguerite Morgan                      Margaret Kierans                         John Lynch 

 

Overview

1. Introduction and Focus on "People Matter"

• Marguerite emphasises her recruitment ethos: genuinely caring about candidates and ensuring long-term success in their placements.
• The tagline "People Matter" originated from Dr. Anthony Connellan, reflecting Marguerite's personalised approach in recruitment.

 

2. Salary Insights

• Salary Guide: Irish Dental Jobs has published the first comprehensive dental salary guide in Ireland, leveraging 15 years of data.
• Discussion on the importance of salary fairness and retention strategies, including pay reviews and understanding employment law.

 

3. Interview with John Lynch (Partner at Whitney Moore Solicitors)

• Employment Law Basics:
• • Importance of establishing clear contracts and handbooks for staff.
  • Periodic updates to contracts and handbooks (every 3-4 years) to stay compliant with legislation.

 

• Advice for Practice Owners:
• • Build strong relationships with an accountant and a lawyer for effective business management.
  • Clear and updated employment policies ensure compliance and avoid disputes.

 

• Key Legal Insights:
• • Employers can differentiate pay for different roles/qualifications but must avoid discrimination.
  • Late payments breach contracts and the Payment of Wages Act, which can lead to claims.
  • Employment law requires contracts and handbooks as foundational documents; not having them can result in losing cases at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

 

4. Challenges in the Dental Industry

• Dental practitioners often lack business-related training, which can lead to gaps in employment law knowledge.
• Marguerite suggests potential seminars for dental professionals to address these gaps.

 

5. Common Employment Law Scenarios

• Maternity Pay Differences: Legal if based on job qualifications and roles, but cannot discriminate on protected grounds.
• Handling Difficult Employees: Address issues early through communication and formal procedures in the handbook.
• Difficult Patients: Follow Dental Council guidelines, with ceasing treatment being a last resort.
• Gender Pay Gap: Like-for-like comparisons within the same organisation are necessary for claims of discrimination.
• Pay Increases: Employers should review pay regularly, but annual pay rises are not legally mandatory unless specified in contracts.

 

6. Marguerite's Perspective as a Business Owner

• Emphasises fairness, employee well-being, and clear communication to maintain a motivated workforce.
• Highlights the importance of having a reliable legal and accounting team.

Article

 

The Dental Chair Podcast: Key Insights on Recruitment, Retention, and Employment Law in Dentistry

In this episode of The Dental Chair podcast, host Marguerite Morgan, Founder and Director of Irish Dental Jobs, takes us into the world of dental recruitment, employee retention, and employment law. Joined by her marketing manager, Margaret Kierans, and special guest John Lynch, partner at Whitney Moore Solicitors, Marguerite explores key challenges faced by dental practices, from retaining top talent to navigating legal complexities.

Whether you're a dental practice owner or a professional working in the sector, this episode provides actionable insights to enhance your business operations and ensure compliance with Irish employment law.

"People Matter" — More Than a Tagline

Marguerite’s ethos, encapsulated in the tagline “People Matter,” drives her unique approach to recruitment. As a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience, she goes beyond resumes and job descriptions to genuinely understand her candidates’ personal and professional stories. This personalised touch ensures long-term success for both candidates and dental practices.

The origin of “People Matter” dates back to Marguerite’s conversation with Dr. Tony Connellan 15 years ago, who encouraged her to make it a core principle of her business. Today, this philosophy resonates in every aspect of Irish Dental Jobs.

 

Insights from the Irish Dental Salary Guide

Margaret highlight the release of Ireland’s first comprehensive dental salary guide. This guide reflects 15 years of detailed data and aims to:

• Improve transparency in salaries across the dental sector.
• Assist employers in retaining top talent by understanding industry standards.
• Address salary discrepancies that impact recruitment and retention.

 

Retention Strategies: Why Pay Reviews Matter

One striking statistic from the salary guide revealed that many support staff haven’t received a pay increase in over a decade. Marguerite shares her own philosophy: recognising hard work and loyalty with regular pay reviews fosters motivation and retention.

John reinforces this by pointing out that failing to review compensation can lead to staff turnover, which disrupts operations and incurs recruitment costs. Regular communication, performance reviews, and discussions about career development are key to retaining talent.

Employers are encouraged to utilise the guide as a tool to stay competitive and ensure fairness in compensation.

 

Employment Law: A Practical Guide for Dental Professionals

John Lynch brings decades of expertise to the conversation, offering straightforward advice to dental practice owners who often lack formal training in employment law. Here are the key areas he addressed:

 

1. Establishing the Foundations

John emphasises the importance of two critical documents:

 

• Employment Contracts: Clearly define the terms of employment, including salary, hours, and duties.
• Employee Handbooks: Outline policies and procedures, from grievance processes to leave entitlements.

 

Having these documents in place not only ensures compliance but also provides a foundation for resolving disputes. Practice owners are advised to update these documents every 3-4 years to reflect legislative changes.

 

2. Addressing Legal Scenarios

John provides practical advice on several employment law challenges:

 

• Maternity Pay Differences: Employers can offer varied benefits based on qualifications or roles, as long as they avoid discrimination based on protected grounds like age, gender, or race.
• Late Wage Payments: Consistent delays breach the Payment of Wages Act and can lead to claims at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
• Performance and Conduct Issues: Address concerns early through informal communication and, if needed, follow the formal procedures outlined in the handbook.

 

3. Staying Updated

 

For small business owners juggling multiple responsibilities, staying updated on employment law can be challenging. John suggests building strong relationships with legal and accounting professionals for guidance and support.

 

Challenges in the Dental Industry

Marguerite sheds light on the unique challenges faced by dental professionals:

• Many dental practitioners complete years of clinical training but lack business-related education, leaving them ill-equipped to manage employment law matters.
• Regulatory compliance, such as infection control standards, can be overwhelming for small practices with limited resources.

 

The conversation sparked an idea to organise seminars for dental professionals, offering tailored guidance on employment law and business management.

 

Dealing with Difficult Situations

Both Marguerite and John address sensitive topics such as handling difficult employees or patients. Key advice includes:

• For Employees: Use informal conversations to address issues early. If unresolved, follow formal disciplinary or performance improvement procedures.
• For Patients: Consult the Dental Council’s Code of Conduct and communicate clearly before resorting to extreme measures like refusing treatment.

 

These approaches emphasise professionalism, transparency, and proactive communication.

 

The Role of Legal Support

A standout point from John’s discussion is the difference between standalone law firms and 24-hour legal advice services. He advocates for building a consistent relationship with a trusted solicitor who understands your business. This ensures tailored, practical advice and eliminates frustration caused by dealing with different advisors each time.

 

Final Thoughts: "Get Your House in Order"

The overarching message of this episode is clear: employers must prioritise compliance and communication. From establishing contracts and handbooks to maintaining open dialogue with staff, these foundational steps enable dental practices to navigate employment law with confidence.

 

Marguerite reflects on her own business journey, finding reassurance that her practices are aligned with legal standards. For those still unsure, she emphasises the importance of seeking professional advice to "sleep easy" knowing their business is in order.

 

For more insights on recruitment, employment law, and salary trends, connect with Irish Dental Jobs. Whether you're seeking new opportunities or looking to build your dental team, Marguerite and her team are here to help.