Why Is There a Shortage of Practice Managers, and How to Make Sure Your Practice Is Not Exposed
As we head into 2026, one of the biggest operational risks facing dental practices isn’t recruitment, compliance, or marketing.
It’s this simple question:
What happens if your Practice Manager leaves tomorrow?
Across the dental industry, Practice Managers are harder to replace than ever. Vacancies remain open for months, recruitment costs continue to rise, and principals are increasingly forced back into day-to-day operations when a manager exits unexpectedly.
But the smartest practices aren’t trying to “solve” the shortage.
They’re preventing the impact of it altogether.
The Real Problem Isn’t the Shortage — It’s Single-Point Failure
Most practices rely on one person to hold together:
- compliance and inspections
- staffing and rotas
- complaints and patient issues
- systems, processes, and policies
- operational continuity
When that person leaves, the practice doesn’t just lose a manager — it loses stability.
Recruitment is slow. Handovers are rushed. Stress skyrockets.
This is where most practices go wrong:
they treat Practice Management as a single role, instead of a capability that should exist within the practice.
The Smarter Solution: Pre-Training, Not Replacement
Forward-thinking practices are no longer waiting for a resignation letter to act.
Instead, they pre-train.
Pre-training means identifying high-performing or loyal team members — such as:
- dental nurses
- receptionists
- treatment coordinators
- senior administrators
…and enrolling them on a Practice Management course, without changing their current job role.
They are not replacing the Practice Manager.
They are not creating confusion.
They are creating insurance.
Why Pre-Training Works So Well
1. It Creates an Immediate Safety Net
If your Practice Manager leaves unexpectedly, you are not exposed.
You already have someone in the practice who:
- understands compliance frameworks
- understands how the practice operates
- understands leadership expectations
That person can step in temporarily, assist during recruitment, or act as an Assistant Practice Manager when workload demands it.
2. It Reduces Pressure on Your Existing Practice Manager
Pre-training doesn’t undermine your current manager — it supports them.
An internally trained assistant:
- absorbs workload during busy periods
- supports audits and inspections
- strengthens continuity
- reduces burnout
This alone lowers the risk of your Practice Manager leaving in the first place.
3. It Massively Increases Staff Loyalty and Retention
Here’s the real bonus — and the reason this strategy works so well.
When a team member is pre-trained:
- they see a future with your practice
- they no longer feel stagnant
- they feel invested in, trusted, and valued
You are not promising a promotion.
You are showing a path.
That single act dramatically increases loyalty and reduces the chance they look elsewhere during appraisal season or the Christmas–New Year reflection period.
Why This Beats Recruitment Every Time
Recruitment is reactive.
Pre-training is strategic.
Recruitment costs money.
Pre-training protects value.
Recruitment brings risk.
Pre-training builds continuity.
And in a market where Practice Managers are increasingly scarce, having internal capability is no longer optional.
How the Certificate in Dental Practice Management Fits Perfectly
The Certificate in Dental Practice Management is ideal for pre-training because it:
- builds real management capability
- strengthens compliance and leadership knowledge
- prepares staff for responsibility without changing their role
- future-proofs your practice
It allows you to create:
- a backup Practice Manager
- an Assistant Practice Manager
- a succession pathway
- a retention strategy
All at the same time.
The Bottom Line
The shortage of Practice Managers isn’t going away.
But being impacted by it is a choice.
Practices that rely on one person remain exposed.
Practices that pre-train their people stay protected.
👉 Don’t wait for a resignation to reveal a weakness.
Pre-train your team with the Certificate in Dental Practice Management and build resilience, loyalty, and continuity into your practice — before you need it.