Over the years, I’ve spoken with countless dentists who feel frustrated with their personal assistants (PA). I often hear:
- “I feel like I have to remind them of everything.”
- “They started off strong, but now they seem disengaged.”
- “I don’t even know if they’re actually helping me or just adding to my workload.”
And every single time, my first question is: “When was the last time you did a structured review with them?”
More often than not, the answer is either “never” or a “long time ago.”
The #1 Mistake Dentists Make with Their Personal Assistants
The reality is, most frustrations with PA don’t come from a lack of talent or effort—it’s a lack of clarity.
If you don’t provide your personal assistant with a clear roadmap for success, how can they meet (or exceed) your expectations?
That’s why I swear by structured PA reviews. With a simple but effective system in place, you can:
- Identify what’s working (and what’s not)
- Set clear expectations and goals
- Improve communication and efficiency
- Avoid burnout—for both you and them
A Simple Review Template to Get Started
To make this easy, we’ve created a Personal Assistant Review Template to help you assess your PA’s performance and set them up for success. It covers key areas like:
- Organization & time management
- Proactivity & problem-solving
- Communication & responsiveness
- Overall impact on your workload
Don’t wait until you’re at your breaking point. A great PA can transform your efficiency—but only if you give them the right structure to thrive.
Until next time,
Ashlee Hirschfeld
COO Dental Success Network
Founder GSD Queen
P.S. Looking to discuss with other dentists how they utilize their own personal assistants? Join Dental Success Network and collaborate with other dentists and share your experiences. Join DSN now to get a free 7-day trial!
