Join Sarah Buxton in her latest podcast episode as she sits down with the inspiring Nicola Eades, owner of Bridge Street Dental Surgery in Tadcaster, Yorkshire. Nicola, a former dental nurse, shares her remarkable journey of turning around a struggling private practice that she and her husband acquired 13 years ago. Starting with just two surgeries and an initial NHS contract, Nicola reveals the strategic decisions that led to the transformation of their clinic into a thriving fully private practice with three chairs and a dedicated team of 15.

Nicola delves into the details of why they decided to let go of the NHS contract, the challenges they faced, and their successful conversion to a fully private practice. The conversation highlights the crucial role of effective communication within the team and the significance of outsourcing for comprehensive business management, covering areas such as compliance, finance, and HR.

Nicola shares valuable insights on running a successful business, emphasising the importance of transparent communication with the team and the unique dynamics of working with family members in a professional setting. Tune in to gain firsthand knowledge and discover Nicola's top tips for achieving success.

In this first 2024 episode of the Buxton Coates Solicitors podcast, we delve deep into the ongoing recruitment crisis in the dental industry. Episode 5 features special guests Liam and Lily from MedMatch Dental, a leading recruitment agency aiding clinics in finding high-quality dental staff.

Over the past 18 months, the dental field has faced unprecedented challenges in recruitment, exacerbated by the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll explore the multifaceted reasons behind the difficulties, ranging from a significant exodus of dentists and other dental professionals from the profession to the evolving expectations of the workforce post-pandemic.

Additionally, we'll light on the shifts in preferences, with more professionals expressing a desire to work in private practices and explore the strategies employed by MedMatch Dental to navigate these challenges and discover potential solutions for dental clinics seeking quality staff.

If you're connected to the dental industry or simply intrigued by the intricacies of recruitment in a post-COVID landscape, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for a candid conversation that aims to demystify the complexities of dental recruitment and offers a glimpse into the future of staffing.

This month, Sarah is joined by Elizabeth Last, a Solicitor in the Employment and HR team at Buxton Coates.

Elizabeth has been with Buxton Coates for 5 years, moving from Paralegal to Solicitor. 

In this podcast, Sarah and Elizabeth discuss Christmas parties and festive events. So much can go wrong at a Christmas party, and you could be held responsible, so it’s always best to be protected in any case. 

Their discussion covers the following topics:

- Learn about Christmas Party policies and how this can help avoid HR issues.
- Vicarious liability and how this applies to Christmas parties. Who is responsible for the actions of self-employed team members at a party?
- What is the best type of event for a Christmas party, to keep you covered?
- Social media issues - what to share on social media at a Christmas party - and whether to have a social media policy in place.

If you need support with this issue, visit our website to set up a call.

This month, our host Sarah Buxton is joined by Jessica Rogers. Jessica is a Paralegal in the Employment and HR team who originally joined the firm as a Legal Apprentice. 

Jessica advises our Oracle subscription clients on day-to-day employment law and HR issues, drafts employment contracts and self-employed agreements and assists with Employment Tribunal files.

In this podcast, Sarah and Jessica discuss a crucial issue that is often overlooked: menopause in the workplace. 

Wednesday 18th October is World Menopause Day, aimed at breaking the stigma and highlighting the support available for those experiencing it. 

As a practice owner or manager, what practical steps are you already taking to understand and meet the needs of employees going through menopause? And what more can you do?

 Listen to this month’s podcast to understand what menopause is, how it can affect people differently, and what support you should provide.