QUICK SUMMARY: CDA's employment practices analyst recommends every employer-dentist conduct an HR audit, which typically reviews five key areas of employment law for noncompliance: timekeeping, wage statements, workplace policies, recruitment/hiring and employee records. Here are general guidelines and links to relevant member resources to help employers conduct an HR audit in the dental practice.
Excessive tardiness and absences, no-shows, abrupt exits and short stints: An HR audit may not prevent every instance of these, but CDA Employment Practices Analyst Michelle Coker says it can go a long way — not just in reducing employee turnover but preserving relationships and reducing risk.
Coker notes her recent conversations with member dentists share a theme.
“Aside from the headache or losing a recent hire, the problem is, the employers haven’t followed onboarding protocols,” Coker says. “They haven’t shared policies and set expectations with their employees, don’t have all the onboarding and performance documentation and haven’t audited timecards for compliance.” Some employer dentists are now facing employees who, because they know their legal rights, have filed complaints with the California Labor Commissioner.
Coker recommends every employer-dentist conduct an HR audit, which typically reviews five key areas of employment law for noncompliance: timekeeping, wage statements, workplace policies, recruitment/hiring and employee records. Here are general guidelines and...
Copyright 2026, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material fr...