Health Links (HL): Why is the health and wellness of your employees important to you?

Salida Family Dentistry (SFD): It helps to build a common ground and comradery among our employees.  For us, having a wellness program has improved employee productivity and has created a happier work environment with more content employees. 

HL: How will you/do you know your program is successful?

SFD: The participation and requests for new challenges from our employees have been huge indicators that our program is very successful.  Everyone looks forward to the next challenge and shows great enthusiasm when we try new things.

HL: What obstacles did you have to overcome to get your program started?  How did you overcome them? 

SFD: Funding was our biggest challenge.  Once we were approved for the Health Links grant we were able to kickstart our program.  When the owners of the practice realized that it was something our employees were interested in and enjoyed, they agreed to match funds for our wellness program. 

HL: Do you incorporate safety along with your wellness program? If so, what does this look like?

SFD: Our office already had safety programs in place before we started our wellness program however, when we compete in any challenges we make sure they are competitions that are suitable for everyone in our office in relation to health, age, and capability. 

HL: What tip/advice would you give to a business that is considering starting a workplace wellness program? 

SFD: Be persistent.  At times you may meet resistance from people that are not interested in change, but with an encouraging environment and persistence you will see many positive changes.  Also, be sure to ask for feedback from anyone that is involved in your wellness program.  They are the ones you are catering to so it is important they know their opinion is valued.