While Elizabeth C., FAADOM, enjoyed working chairside as a dental assistant and fulfilling other dental assisting duties, she quickly realized her heart was working in dental office management.
“Once I got a taste of office administration, I didn’t want to leave,” recalls Elizabeth, who has been her practice’s office administrator for the past decade. “This is the right place for me.”
Dental office managers serve as leaders in the dental practice. Their wide-ranging duties may include supervising staff, maintaining appointment schedules, coordinating patient treatment, or overseeing billing. Dental office managers can also have a great impact on patient experiences and encourage them to return to the dental office.
“It’s a really important position,” Elizabeth says of practice administration. “I have the opportunity to make every single person feel special when they come into the office.”
Because dental assistants manage a variety of clinical and administrative duties, as well as help provide patient care, dental assistants may have the skills to succeed as dental office managers.
This was the case for Elizabeth, whose skill sets lent themselves to a smooth transition into dental office management in 2010. She chose to take her career to the next level with help from both the DALE Foundation, the official affiliate of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM).
Elizabeth joined AADOM in 2012 and earned Fellowship in AADOM shortly thereafter. As part of their Fellowship journey, AADOM Fellows complete the dental office manager courses available through the DALE Foundation. The courses are:
• Accounts Receivable for the Dental Office
• HR Fundamentals for the Dental Office
• Financial Reporting for the Dental Office
Each dental office management course covers a unique aspect of business operations within a dental practice. Also, the courses are all available online, so you can learn on your own schedule.
Elizabeth recommends these DALE Foundation courses for all those considering a career in dental office management, not only those pursuing Fellowship, but every aspiring dental office manager, as well as those already in the role looking to enhance their careers. “The DALE Foundation resources are such a huge help,” Elizabeth emphasizes.
Terri L., CDPMA, FAADOM, a dental office manager with a background in dental assisting, agrees. “Even if you’re not going to earn AADOM Fellowship, which I would encourage, take DALE Foundation courses,” she says.
Terri is proud of her professional accomplishments, especially her commitment to completing dental office management education, as well as holding AADOM Fellowship and maintaining DANB’s Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA) certification. “I love to learn,” Terri says. “I’m always wanting to learn something to help the practice and my patients.”
Rosa P., FAADOM, has a similar success story. “Previously, I worked in general practice as an assistant, but then decided to reinvent myself.” Rosa did this through pursuing education in management and human resources, as well as Fellowship in AADOM in 2018.
“At my present office, I’ve held roles at the front desk, as treatment coordinator, and now as dental office manager,” says Rosa. “I am proud of fact that I have gotten here by expanding my knowledge with hard work.”
Looking to get started?
Does a career in dental office management sound like the right next step for you? Are you looking for CE to help you step seamlessly into the role, or earn Fellowship in AADOM?
Then you may be interested in the DALE Foundation’s dental office management courses! Visit the DALE Foundation online to learn more.
