AADOM Member Stories: Ashley Spence
Ashley Spence, Treatment Coordinator at Polished Dental in St Augustine, Florida!
🎧 Prefer to listen? Tune into Ashley’s story HERE.
Learning Never Stops in Dental Management
When Ashley Spence first became involved with AADOM, she already had exposure to the organization through her family. But once she stepped into dentistry herself, she quickly realized just how valuable having a professional community and educational support system could be.
Now four years into both her dental career and AADOM membership, Ashley has fully immersed herself in leadership, continuing education, and professional growth.
From serving on her local DPLN board to pursuing her FAADOM designation, Ashley has embraced every opportunity to grow alongside other dental professionals who understand the realities of practice management.
One of the biggest lessons she says AADOM has taught her is that dentistry is always evolving—and office managers have to evolve with it.
“There’s so many things that can change, so many new avenues, so many different products that we can use.”
Through AADOM resources and educational opportunities, Ashley says she’s gained knowledge in areas she may never have explored otherwise, including onboarding systems, patient communication, and team development.
As part of her FAADOM training, Ashley discovered resources like the DALE Foundation, which helped expand her understanding of processes and systems that directly impact practice success.
“It helped me open my eyes like, ‘Hey, I don’t know everything.’”
Rather than viewing that as a weakness, Ashley sees it as one of the most important parts of leadership—being willing to continue learning.
That mindset has also helped her bring fresh ideas back to her practice. Whether introducing new technologies, improving systems, or sharing insights with leadership, Ashley says AADOM has given her the confidence to contribute in meaningful ways.
She explained that one of the most impactful things about AADOM is being able to learn from real practices and real office managers who are actively implementing strategies that work.
For Ashley, local DPLN involvement has been especially valuable because it creates opportunities to connect with offices nearby and hear firsthand experiences from teams facing many of the same challenges.
She also understands that joining a professional organization can sometimes feel intimidating at first—especially for newer office managers attending Conference or networking events for the first time.
“Everyone’s been doing this for years, and everyone knows everyone.”
But Ashley says stepping outside of your comfort zone is worth it.
Some of her favorite memories from AADOM have come from simply meeting people, sharing stories, and realizing how connected the dental management community truly is. From networking at Conference to conversations that continued long after the event ended, those relationships have become one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.
In addition to the connections, Ashley says AADOM has also introduced her practice to valuable products and technologies that improved day-to-day operations. Being able to meet vendors in person, ask questions directly, and explore solutions hands-on helped her confidently bring recommendations back to her team.
As her practice continues to grow with the addition of a new associate dentist and future expansion plans, Ashley is focused on continuing her education and helping others around her grow too.
“Knowledge is key in dentistry.”
For Ashley, investing in education doesn’t just improve her own career—it strengthens her entire practice, supports her patients, and creates opportunities for her team to grow together.
And as she continues working toward future AADOM designations, she hopes to encourage more dental professionals around her to take advantage of the same opportunities that have helped shape her journey.
Ashley Spence:
Ashley Spence serves as a Treatment Coordinator at Polished Dental, where she is passionate about building meaningful relationships with patients and helping them feel comfortable and confident in their dental care decisions. She takes pride in simplifying treatment plans, explaining financial options clearly, and creating a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
Ashley is known for her warm personality, enthusiasm, and dedication to helping each patient feel supported every step of the way. This year, she will receive her Fellowship designation at the AADOM Conference in Orlando, reflecting her commitment to professional growth and excellence in dental practice management.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and discovering the best hidden-gem restaurants. She also values personal growth, balance, and staying motivated so she can bring her best self to those around her each day.
Not an AADOM Member Yet?
Now’s the perfect time to join the 10,000+ dental managers nationwide who rely on AADOM for real-world support, expert training, and tools to grow their careers and strengthen their practices. Join today for less than the cost of a daily cup of coffee and start unlocking leadership resources designed just for you!
