Fun is a vital element of the workplace environment, promoting friendship, a positive culture, physical engagement, and employee happiness. A study by Loma Linda University recently published in Forbes reported that employees who watched a 20-minute funny video to elevate their moods demonstrated 40% better capacity-building skills on the job, with 45% reduced levels of stress hormones. In addition, empirical evidence from a study by Müceldili and Erdil suggests that casual fun effectively builds a healthy workplace culture. The Canadian Dental Association Forum identified that dentistry is quite stressful, and working closely with patients can lead to depersonalization and emotional weariness. A healthy workplace environment is vital when determining stress and burnout for dental temps and professionals.
A pragmatic answer to these conditions is adding more fun to your dental career to reduce anxiety, workplace conflict, and the monotony of the daily grind.
Step Outside Together
Monica Holder, a member of the AA Man and Woman Holding a Coffee While Talking Together · Free Stock Photomerican Association of Dental Office Management, sheds light on how unusual it is to mix the terms “playing games,” “having fun,” and “going to work” when describing someone who works in a dental office. While managing a dental office, Monica planned a spa day at a nearby salon. She gave the team some time to bond outside the clinic to express what was thought to be long overdue gratitude to the team. This outing was highly appreciated, seemed to spark a breakthrough, and encouraged a newfound spirit across coworkers.
Wednesdays: Time for Team Yoga
Dental professionals encounter particular mental, physical, and emotional challenges every day. These difficulties frequently lead to conflict and imbalance in their bodies and brains, adversely affecting their health and wellness. Alex Barrera, MD, shared his experiences with the American Dental Association on how yoga helped bring about a significant change of perspective as a practicing dental professional. He recommended dental temps take part in adopting healthier lifestyle activities and using them as team exercises to energize office spirit and bring joy to their coworkers.
Celebrate Their Special Day
Although birthdays may not seem huge, many people have few, if any, “major wins.” Birthday celebrations serve as a reminder that life is more than just work and demonstrate appreciation for personal milestones and accomplishments.
Dress Up: Do It for the Holidays
A slight dress code relaxation on particular days can significantly impact the work environment in your dental office. Dress-up days encourage pleasant engagement while letting coworkers express their personalities and inventiveness. Not to mention, patients can also delight in the fun and see that you and your team enjoy yourselves.
Host a Challenge
Healthy competition may motivate a team and make work at the dental office fun. Challenge your hygienists to a contest to see who can do the most cleanings in a month. Alternatively, involve the entire office by having them earn the best patient feedback in a particular month.
Validity Check From Your Peers
By designating an employee of the week or month, you can thank coworkers for their dedication and give them something to aim toward. Ensure the requirements for “Employee of the Week” is precise and equally attainable for everyone working there. You may wish to restrict the number of times a particular employee can be nominated to ensure every member of your administrative team, hygienists, associates, and dental temps has the same opportunity.
It’s time to think outside the box in building employee happiness through a healthy work culture, increased productivity, and engaged workers. Fun can take many forms. Encourage coworkers to doodle during breaks to relieve stress, host impromptu quiz nights, or foster workplace relationships by organizing group lunches or Friday happy hours.
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