When I first stepped into dentistry as a registered dental assistant, I had no idea where the journey would take me. At the time, I believed, like so many others, that there was a ceiling in our profession. That the path upward was defined, limited, and predictable. But over time, and especially through my experience with the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), I learned a different truth: there is no ceiling in dentistry. There are only the walls of limiting beliefs we place around ourselves.

That realization changed everything.

Today, I’m a national speaker, consultant, and Lead Business Advisor with Productive Dentist Academy. But before all of that, I was an office manager who was learning to lead, struggling to grow, and searching for my voice. AADOM was the community that helped me find it.

Filling the Educational Void

Before I joined AADOM in 2008, I was stunned by how little education and development existed for the administrative side of dentistry. Conferences were largely clinical, and education was primarily geared toward dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. While clinicians were attending CE sessions on the latest technologies and techniques, those of us up front were often left to figure things out on our own.

It became clear that while clinical roles had defined pathways for advancement, those of us in administrative positions were navigating without a map. We were expected to manage complex operations, lead teams, and support practice growth, yet the tools and training to do so were rarely offered, let alone prioritized.

How do you build a high-functioning team? What does it mean to be a true co-leader with your owner doctor(s)? How do you create financially healthy practices that serve both your patients and your people?

These are not easy questions, but they are essential. And for a long time, I didn’t know where to find the answers.

AADOM filled that vacuum. It opened the door to education that spoke directly to the challenges of managing a dental practice. More than that, it gave me access to a network of like-minded professionals who shared my passion for growth. For the first time, I saw what was possible. I realized I didn’t have to stay in one lane. That there was a path forward, a way up.

And I took it.

The Moment I Stepped Into Leadership

One of the biggest turning points in my career came while managing an endodontic group with two locations in Northern California. By then, I’d spent years attending AADOM conferences, learning from industry leaders, and expanding my knowledge of business systems and strategy.

I began noticing a trend: one of our locations was getting a high volume of referrals from a fast-growing city nearby. This area was booming with new housing developments, schools, and an influx of young, two-income families. But this growing town had no endodontists, and our second location was the closest.

So, I started tracking data. I calculated how much revenue we were generating from referrals in that city. I contacted the local Chamber of Commerce and did market research. Eventually, I presented a business plan to the practice owners, outlining the opportunity: we could be the first endodontic group to establish a presence in this new community. If we didn’t, it was only a matter of time before someone else opened an endo practice in that town, and we’d end up losing all of those referral revenues.

Because of my initiative, research, and data-led presentation to the practice partners, we ended up developing the successful launch of our third location.

It wasn’t just about opening a new office that made me excited. It was about finally being seen as a strategic business partner. I wasn’t someone who simply answered phones or submitted insurance claims, but someone who understood the bigger picture and could influence the direction of the practice.

I credit AADOM with giving me the tools, community, and confidence to help us make that leap. Without the education and support I received through the organization, I doubt I would have had the courage or the credibility to advocate for that kind of growth.

Doctors: A True Office Manager Isn’t an Afterthought

There’s a dangerous misconception in dentistry that the title of “office manager” is earned by default. Sometimes it’s the administration person who’s been with the practice the longest. Other times, it’s someone the doctor trusts (or could even be in a relationship with… we’ve all seen it). But tenure and trust alone don’t make a leader.

A true office manager leads. Period.

Well-developed office managers understand systems, culture, and financials. They coach team members, handle conflicts, and align people with purpose. Most importantly, they help carry the weight of the business, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the owner doctor(s), driving results.

This is the message that every practice owner needs to hear: Your office manager might be your greatest untapped strength. Don’t leave them on the shelf. Don’t let them operate in survival mode, putting out fires and scrambling to keep up. Invest in them. Develop them. Teach them to lead and give them the space to do it.

You’ll be amazed at what happens when you do.

For the Office Managers Still Finding Their Way

For the office managers, or other dental team members reading this, wondering if you’re “doing it right” or whether your voice really matters, I want you to know it does.

Leadership starts long before you’re given a title or a paycheck that reflects your value. It starts when you decide that your growth is non-negotiable. When you start asking hard questions and looking for better answers 

There’s no one way to lead. What matters is figuring out your style, your strengths, your values, and your approach. That’s part of what I’ll be sharing in my upcoming breakout session at AADOM’s annual conference: how understanding your leadership and learning style can unlock your potential and create harmony within your practice.

Exceptional leadership isn’t about filling cavities or applying quick fixes. It’s about creating an environment where your team can thrive, and where you can thrive, too.

There are few things in my professional journey that have been more impactful than my connection with AADOM. It gave me the knowledge to grow, the network to believe, and the courage to lead.

If you’re on the fence about investing in yourself, I encourage you to take the leap. Attend the conference. Join the community. Ask questions. Raise your hand.

Because there’s no ceiling here. Only opportunity.

And with the right tools, the right support, and the right mindset, you can build a career and a life that you can love.