The Dental Practice Diagnostic Podcast

Burnout isn’t just exhausting — it’s expensive.
In this episode, Victoria Thomson breaks down the hidden cost of burnout in dental practices, from lost income and time to the impact on leadership, decision-making, and life outside the practice — and why it keeps coming back.

Over £80,000 can walk out of a dental practice in a year through staff turnover.
In this episode, Victoria unpacks the real cost of losing team members, why the revolving door keeps spinning in dental practices, and how calm, proactive HR can protect your people, time, and profit.

Welcome to the final episode of Season One of The Diary of an HR Consultant! I’m Victoria, and if you’re a woman running a dental practice in those early years of ownership, this one’s for you.
As we head into the quieter summer stretch, I’m sharing five practical focus areas that can help you reset, regroup, and return stronger in the autumn — from tightening up your team structure to tackling those niggling HR jobs that always fall to the bottom of the list.
This is your chance to breathe, take stock, and get ahead — without the overwhelm.
Let’s dive in.

This week I’m joined by resilience coach and executive mentor Julian Roberts, to explore a topic close to my heart — how women in small dental practices can build resilience in the face of leadership pressure, emotional labour, and external responsibilities.
From imposter syndrome to navigating conflict, juggling caring responsibilities to making courageous decisions — we unpack it all.
If you're a woman running a dental practice (or supporting someone who is), this episode is packed with insight, practical strategies, and validation.
💬 We talk:
✅ Resilience under pressure
✅ How to handle emotional labour at work
✅ Why courageous conversations matter
✅ Balancing leadership with life outside the practice
You can connect with Julian on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julesroberts45/ and on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesroberts
His book, 'Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams' is rated 5 stars and available to buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

When Policies Feel Pointless — Making HR Actually Work in Small Teams
If your staff handbook is gathering dust — or worse, causing confusion — this episode is for you.
In Part 3 of our 'People Puzzle in Your Practice' mini-series, I unpack why traditional HR policies often don’t work in small, independent dental practices… and what to do instead.
✅ Why generic policies don’t protect your team or your business
✅ The hidden cost of unclear expectations
✅ Simple ways to make your HR policies actually usable — and human
✅ How to write policies that support both your practice and your people
Whether you’ve inherited a clunky old handbook or are starting from scratch, this episode will help you feel more confident, clear, and in control.
🔗 Learn more at www.ambridgehr.co.uk
📩 Want support? Book your HR Check-up today https://tidycal.com/hrenquiries/hrcheckup
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This series is created especially for women in their first few years of managing or owning a private dental practice.
#HRforDentists #WomenInDentistry #DentalPracticeOwner #SmallBusiness #PrivateDentistryUK #Policies #Leadership #FemaleFoundersUK #AmbridgeHR #DentalHR

In this episode, I’ll explore how to spot the subtle signs your team might be unhappy, before they decide to leave. I’ll share practical tips and advice to help you reduce stress, improve team morale, and keep your practice running smoothly.
If you want personalised HR support, you can book an HR Check-up with me at www.tidycal.com/hrenquiries/hrcheckup
Let’s dive in!

Starting and running a small dental practice is a rewarding but challenging journey—especially for women juggling leadership, clinical care, and a team. In this episode, Victoria Thomson of Ambridge HR shares the five most common HR mistakes dental practice owners make in their first five years and practical steps to avoid them. From tackling early performance issues to managing associate contracts, Victoria’s insights will help you protect your practice, empower your team, and focus on what matters most—your patients. Tune in to get calm, clear HR advice that makes a real difference.

In this episode, Victoria Thomson turns the spotlight on the dental profession, exploring the unique HR challenges facing dental practices today — from associate contract confusion to team tensions, compliance gaps, and culture concerns.
Drawing on real-life scenarios and her experience supporting healthcare clients, Victoria breaks down the top issues affecting dental surgeries and shares how Ambridge HR can provide practical, calm, and compliant support — whether you're managing a small team or scaling your practice.
If you're a principal dentist, practice manager, or involved in the business side of dentistry, this episode is for you.
🔍 Topics include:
• Associate vs. employee status
• Absence and performance management
• Building a positive practice culture
• HR compliance in a regulated environment
• Tailored HR support for dental teams
Listen now to find out how to future-proof your people practices — and why having the right HR support can make all the difference.
No drills, no jargon — just honest HR advice for dental professionals.
 

This episode was recorded before the podcast focused specifically on dental practices. The principles discussed still apply broadly to people management and retention.
In today’s episode, I'm diving into a hot topic for UK businesses: how to prepare for the digital skills gap in an increasingly competitive global talent market. From building future-ready teams to embracing remote hiring and upskilling strategies, I’ll share practical tips and insights to help you stay ahead in the digital race. Whether you’re an HR leader, business owner, or team manager, this episode will give you actionable advice to tackle the talent challenges of tomorrow — today. https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/ https://www.grow.google https://www.learning.linkedin.com https://www.canva.com/design-school/

This episode was recorded before the podcast focused specifically on dental practices. The principles discussed still apply broadly to people management and retention.
In this special episode of The Diary of an HR Consultant, Victoria shines a spotlight on working carers – the often-unsung heroes balancing employment with the demands of supporting loved ones. We explore the new Carer’s Leave legislation, other types of statutory leave carers may be entitled to, and the practical steps employers can take to build a carer-friendly workplace. From flexible working to the Carer’s Passport, this episode is full of actionable HR advice for Carers Week and beyond. 🎧 Whether you're in HR, a business leader, or simply want to do better by your people, this episode gives you the tools and insights you need. 🔗 Useful Links: 💙 Carers UK – resources, policy templates, and support for employers and carers: www.carersuk.org 💼 Vivup EAP – mental health and wellbeing support for employees: www.vivup.co.uk 🙌 Don’t forget to share this episode with your team or network, and follow The Diary of an HR Consultant for weekly real-world HR insights.