Working

Linda Belaus, CDA, RDH, creator of Dentaljobs.net, first got the idea for her business by starting a referral service.

“I had been the employment chairperson for my dental hygiene component,” said Belaus. “This introduced me to the need for offices and staff to connect. After my volunteer position came to an end, I decided to start a referral service. Offices would contact me about their staffing needs, and job seekers would contact me telling they were available to work. I charged the office a referral fee.”

Since that was a time where nobody had cell phones or email, and not all had answering machines, Belaus began sending postcards, eventually moving on to a one-page newsletter that included jobs, CE and an article relevant to the profession.

As Internet use became more prevalent, Belaus decided it was time for her to cross over to the digital world.

“I made the decision to put run my business only on the Internet and expanded it to all 50 states,” she said.

To gain publicity for the new site, she sent postcards to dental offices and staff, letting them now about her service. She also goes to conventions and sets up a booth where she can inform people of her service; she went to ADHA’s annual session this year, the “Under one Roof” convention in Washington, D.C., and is planning to go to others in Atlanta, New York and Chicago.

Since its creation, the site has acquired a multitude of functions that one might not expect from a staffing site.

For example, Belaus knows that not everyone is looking for a new job at a given time, so she has added features that are relevant to everyone in the dental industry.

“I list salary data for all professions in all 50 states, but to view it, you have to contribute to it,” she said. “Offices needing temps can contact those available on the “I Can Temp” page. This is a free service for offices to use; I list volunteer opportunities worldwide, but they must be non-profit organizations. The “Licensure” page lists links to all the auxiliary and dental boards in all 50 states, and when I get a job listing for “Work Abroad,” I send an email blast alerting dental professionals of the opening.”

Had it not been for her involvement in ADHA, Belaus said, she would not have created Dentaljobs.net. “[ADHA] gave me the foundation on how the dental community is served. As a result of volunteer positions as an employment chairman, CE chairman, vice president and president of my local component, I was able to know the philosophy of serving offices and staff alike. ADHA, CDHA and the two components I have belonged to have helped me with the foundation I needed.”

Dentaljobs.net lists all dental schools, dental hygiene schools, dental assisting and lab tech schools in the nation; CE courses around the world; practices for sale, equipment for sale and dental-related gift items. She even has a chat room for dental professionals. Lastly, she recently began writing a monthly e-newsletter with articles and information relevant to the profession.

Also, Belaus said, “I create and maintain Web sites for components and societies that want them, all this free of charge. I pay for their domain name, hosting and maintenance. This is my way of giving back to a profession that has been so good to me!”

Belaus plans to continue this high level of service. When asked what she is most proud of about Dentaljobs.net, she responded, “Its growth and potential for the future.”

This edition of Working was prepared by Meghan Washington