When Policies Feel Pointless

How much is burnout actually costing you?

Burnout isn’t just exhausting — it’s expensive. In this episode, Victoria Thomson breaks down the hidden cost of burnout in dental practices, from lost income and time to the impact on leadership, decision-making, and life outside the practice — and why it keeps coming back.

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.

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.

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

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