The Dental HR Diary

Ambridge HR
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Hosted by Victoria Thomson, Founder of Ambridge HR. The Dental HR Diary is a practical, no-nonsense podcast for owners and managers of growing private dental practices who want calmer teams, better retention, and fewer people problems. Each episode explores the real HR challenges dental practices face as they grow. From quiet turnover and stretched leaders, to people systems that no longer fit the practice you’ve become. Victoria shares clear, experience-led insights from over 25 years in HR, translating employment law, people strategy, and best practice into guidance that actually works in busy clinical environments. This podcast isn’t about fluffy culture talk or box-ticking compliance. It’s about helping you stop the revolving door of staff, make confident people decisions, and build a stable team you can rely on, so running your practice feels easier, not heavier. If you’ve ever thought “this should be simpler than it feels,” you’re in the right place. Learn more at www.ambridgehr.co.uk Official partner of Breathe HR and Vivup Perkbox. Quote “Ambridge HR” for partner benefits. www.breathehr.com | www.vivupbenefits.co.uk/perkbox-vivup

  1. FEB 10

    The Real Cost of Losing Staff in Dental Practices (and why it keeps happening)

    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.

    7 min

  2. 07/29/2025

    5 Smart Ways to Strengthen Your Practice

    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.

    10 min

  3. 07/22/2025

    Resilience and Empowering Women in Dentistry — with Guest, Julian Roberts

    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

    31 min

  4. 07/15/2025

    When Policies Feel Pointless

    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 — 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

    8 min

  5. 07/08/2025

    Before they quit: Spot the hidden signs

    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!

    10 min

  6. 07/01/2025

    Your First 5 Years: HR Truths No One Tells You!

    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.

    9 min

  7. 06/24/2025

    A Deep Dive into Dental HR: Conflict, Contracts and Compliance

    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.

    12 min

  8. 06/17/2025

    Navigating the Digital Skills Gap: A Strategic Approach for UK Businesses

    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/

    11 min
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About

Hosted by Victoria Thomson, Founder of Ambridge HR. The Dental HR Diary is a practical, no-nonsense podcast for owners and managers of growing private dental practices who want calmer teams, better retention, and fewer people problems. Each episode explores the real HR challenges dental practices face as they grow. From quiet turnover and stretched leaders, to people systems that no longer fit the practice you’ve become. Victoria shares clear, experience-led insights from over 25 years in HR, translating employment law, people strategy, and best practice into guidance that actually works in busy clinical environments. This podcast isn’t about fluffy culture talk or box-ticking compliance. It’s about helping you stop the revolving door of staff, make confident people decisions, and build a stable team you can rely on, so running your practice feels easier, not heavier. If you’ve ever thought “this should be simpler than it feels,” you’re in the right place. Learn more at www.ambridgehr.co.uk Official partner of Breathe HR and Vivup Perkbox. Quote “Ambridge HR” for partner benefits. www.breathehr.com | www.vivupbenefits.co.uk/perkbox-vivup

Information

  • Creator
    Ambridge HR
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Dental HR Diary