Ever walked into work and thought… “What is going on with this team?”

Everyone is technically doing their job, but it feels like something’s missing.

The energy is low, communication is patchy, and no one goes beyond the bare minimum.

You’re constantly firefighting issues instead of working on the bigger picture.

Sound familiar? Then you might have a trust problem.

Why Trust is the Foundation of a Great Team

A dental team without trust is like a crown with no cement—everything looks fine on the surface, but underneath, things are wobbly and prone to breaking.

When trust is low, people:

• Stick to their own roles and avoid teamwork because they don’t trust others to do their bit.

• Hold back their opinions because they don’t trust that speaking up won’t backfire.

• Do the minimum to stay out of trouble because they don’t trust that effort is valued.

On the flip side, a high-trust team is engaged, resilient, and willing to step up. They get more done with less stress because they’re actually working together instead of just side by side.

How to Build Trust in Your Team (Without Holding a Trust Fall Exercise)

Trust works both ways—so start by showing it

If you want your team to trust you, you have to trust them first. That means:

• Delegating instead of micromanaging.

• Allowing people to make decisions without hovering.

• Resisting the urge to “correct” unless it’s genuinely needed.

• Be real. Be human.

You know what kills trust? A boss who never admits mistakes.

Nothing makes people disengage faster than a leader who pretends to have it all together. Being honest about challenges and owning your mistakes makes people more willing to take responsibility for their own.

Instead of saying, “We need to do better next time” (which blames the team), try, “I should have been clearer on this—let’s figure it out together.”

Make work feel meaningful.

No one gives their best effort to a job that feels pointless. And when you work in a dental practice, it’s easy to get caught up in the routine—seeing the same patients, the same problems, and the same chaos every day.

Your job is to remind people why their work matters.

Instead of saying, “We need to stay on schedule,” try, “Running on time means nervous patients don’t have to sit in the waiting room getting more anxious.”

Instead of saying, “Let’s be thorough with our sterilisation,” try, “Every extra bit of care we take keeps our patients safe.”

Trust Changes Everything

Without trust, you get frustration, disengagement, and constant tension.

With trust, you get accountability, teamwork, and a practice that runs smoothly.

Building trust doesn’t require big speeches or grand strategies. It starts in the everyday moments—letting go, being real, and making work meaningful.

Where will you start?