December 22, 2025
Welcome to today’s episode of The Dental CEO Podcast with your host, Dr. Scott Leune. Today, I’m excited to dive deep into a topic that’s close to my heart and pivotal for any growing dental practice or company within the dental sphere: the transformation of dental industry recruiting.
Recruiting has always been seen primarily from a clinical perspective—finding hygienists, dental assistants, and other front-office staff. However, the non-clinical side has often been either undervalued or just plain ignored. That’s until the inception of specialized recruitment that focuses on filling these essential roles.
Speaking from experience, I understand the complexities involved in finding not just qualified candidates but the right fit for a company’s culture and growth. This episode unpacks this journey I’ve embarked on—starting from my days as a practicing dental hygienist, facing respect issues despite significant postgraduate training, to pivoting towards recruitment and finally founding a dedicated dental recruitment agency.
The path wasn’t straightforward. It involved a series of both missteps and learnings from accepting roles that were misaligned with my values, to coming face-to-face with harsh realities of the corporate world, where integrity wasn’t always a given. The turning point came from profound personal and professional hardships, prompting me to focus on creating opportunities for others—opportunities that aligned with integrity, trust, and professional growth.
Specializing in non-clinical roles, our recruitment strategy isn’t just about filling positions but ensuring a mutual fit that promises growth and satisfaction on both sides. We’ve implemented a comprehensive evaluation process, including initial phone screenings, video interviews, and personality assessments, all streamlined through a private portal for our clients. This meticulous approach has directly addressed the gap in traditional recruitment practices, which often overlook the detailed needs of both parties.
Our discussions today will tap into the absolute necessity of niche expertise in recruitment within the dental sector. We’ll also touch on the importance of integrity in business practices and how these values translate into better hiring decisions. By sharing this knowledge, I hope to inspire both employers in the dental industry and potential candidates to think differently about their career paths and recruitment strategies.
Reflecting on challenges is crucial as well; they teach us resilience—something every entrepreneur, especially in the health sector, needs in abundance. Turning failures into stepping stones is key to finding success in this convoluted yet rewarding field. Through sharing my experience, I aim to provide you a clear picture of the highs and lows of founding and running a specialized recruitment agency.
Before signing off, I want to stress the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors. It’s vital for sustainability and genuine satisfaction in one’s career. Hopefully, today’s insights will help you navigate your own professional journey, whether you’re looking to hire or seeking new opportunities within the dynamic world of dentistry.
Thank you for tuning in, and remember: embracing change and maintaining integrity are your best tools for success in the ever-evolving dental industry.