What Does a “Culture Problem” Really Mean in Dentistry?

DentalMAX showcases leaders redefining dental operations excellence, and we recently met Stacey Sloan. Stacey Sloan, R.D.H., M.Ed., founder of Chairside Collaborative and dental growth coach, helps dental teams align systems, strengthen culture, and deliver exceptional patient experiences. In this article, she shares her perspective on what a "culture problem" really means and why it matters now more than ever.

Defining “Culture” in Dentistry

by Stacey Sloan, R.D.H., M.Ed., Founder, Chairside Collaborative
Not long ago, I overheard someone say, “The CULTURE in that office is HORRIBLE,” and it grabbed my attention. It made me think: every dental practice has a culture, whether it’s created with intention or left to form by default. But what exactly is culture?
For some, culture is about the “feel” of the office. For others, it’s defined by values, leadership style, or even how smoothly systems run. The challenge is that if everyone defines culture differently, how can we expect to fix it when there’s a problem?
The reality is, culture is not about surface-level perks like pizza parties or casual Fridays. Those things may be nice, but they are not what sustains a team or creates lasting impact.

True culture is the foundation of how your business operates—the daily behaviors, systems, and decisions that shape both the employee and patient experience.

And here’s the key: when team members or patients raise concerns about culture, it’s not “complaining.” It’s a signal that something deeper within the business may be misaligned.

Two key areas reveal the strength of your company culture:

1. Employee Experience

Your team is the heartbeat of your practice. If they don’t feel supported, valued, or aligned, it will eventually show up in patient care. Strong cultures create:
Purpose: Team members feel connected to the mission and understand the “why” behind their work.
Trust: There’s clarity around roles, expectations, and how success is measured. Shared core values guide decision-making.
Alignment: There is true alignment in how every team member moves. This includes clinical alignment and how patients are delivered care in your practice. Leadership: Leaders communicate openly, listen actively, and foster an environment of collaboration and safety.
Work Environment: Employees feel recognized, heard, and are given opportunities to grow—not stuck or overlooked.
Systems & Processes: Well-structured systems support teamwork, efficiency, and scalability, rather than creating frustration or bottlenecks.

2. Guest Experience

Your patients feel your culture the moment they walk through the door. From the front desk to the operatory, culture influences how welcomed, cared for, and respected they feel. And here’s the reality: if your team is not aligned and connected, patients will notice.
Consider this:
– What do guests see, feel, and experience the moment they walk through the doors?
– If a guest sees a different provider at their next visit, are they going to have the same experience?

“If your team is not having a great employee experience, your guests will pick up on it, and trust will erode.”

How Do You Fix a Culture Problem?

Addressing culture isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level solutions. It requires looking at the heart of the business—its vision, values, leadership, and systems. When these core elements are aligned and strong, culture shifts naturally.
Ultimately, culture is not just something you have—it’s something you do. And when done with intention, it becomes one of your greatest competitive advantages.

Final Thoughts

If you’re noticing cracks in your practice culture—whether it’s tension among team members, inconsistent systems, or patients sensing something “off”—it’s a sign to look deeper. Culture problems can’t be solved with a staff lunch or a motivational quote on the wall. They require intentional leadership, aligned systems, and a clear vision that your team can rally around.
That’s where I come in. As a dental growth coach, I help leaders uncover the root causes of culture challenges and rebuild practices where teams align, systems thrive, and growth becomes inevitable.

If you’re ready to strengthen the heart of your practice and create a culture that both your team and patients feel proud to be part of, let’s connect.

Let's Connect | Chairside Collaborative

About Stacey Sloan

Stacey Sloan, founder of Chairside Collaborative and dental growth coach, helps practice leaders align teams, optimize systems, and build successful cultures. With years of guiding dental practices, Stacey specializes in identifying the causes of culture challenges and delivering solutions for sustainable growth, excellent patient experiences, and engaged, empowered teams.

About DentalMAX Solutions

DentalMAX Solutions is a full-service agency designed exclusively for dental practices. We help practices grow and run more efficiently with marketing, consulting, communication, and HR support, all for one flat monthly fee and no contracts. Strong internal systems deserve strong external support. DentalMAX helps you free up time so you can focus on delivering excellent care.

Strengthen your practice inside and out. Contact DentalMAX Solutions today for a free website, SEO, and social-media audit.
Email: info@DentalMAXSolutions.com
Phone: (561) 777-2439