AADOM Member Stories: Claudia LaSmith
Claudia LaSmith, Office Manager at Bell Family Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina!
🎧 Prefer to listen? Tune into Claudia’s story HERE.
From Dental Assistant to DAADOM: A Journey of Growth and Leadership
With more than a decade of AADOM membership and a career that has evolved from dental assistant to office manager, Claudia Smith has experienced firsthand the impact that professional development and community can have on a dental career.
Claudia discovered AADOM shortly before Dr. Tara Bell purchased her practice in Cary, North Carolina. Looking for ways to expand her knowledge and connect with other dental professionals, she came across AADOM online and immediately saw its potential.
“I wanted to educate myself,” Claudia shared. “When you’re in dentistry, you look for people who are like-minded, who can help you through things you don’t know and celebrate the things you do know.”
After attending her first AADOM Conference in Florida, she was hooked. Since then, she has attended every conference except the year her daughter was born.
A Turning Point in Her Career
One of the most impactful parts of Claudia’s AADOM journey was pursuing her distinction credentials, ultimately earning her DAADOM designation.
“AADOM has helped validate what we do as office managers,” she said. “It has helped us push to the next level, create stronger practices, and support our dentists so they can focus on patient care.”
For Claudia, AADOM also filled a gap that existed early in her career. While educational opportunities were available for clinical team members, there were few resources focused specifically on dental office administration.
“AADOM was that for me,” she explained. “It gave me access to education and a community of people who understood the challenges and opportunities of the administrative side of dentistry.”
Learning Beyond the Clinical Role
After starting her career as a dental assistant, Claudia became fascinated by the business side of the practice and wanted to understand how treatment plans translated into collections, scheduling, and operations.
Determined to learn, she immersed herself in practice management systems and front-office workflows, building the foundation that would eventually lead her into leadership.
“There wasn’t really anyone teaching those things back then,” she said. “AADOM created opportunities to learn skills that office managers need to be successful.”
The Power of Community
One of the greatest benefits Claudia has found through AADOM is the support network.
As a member of the Triangle Dental Professional Learning Network (DPLN), she has built relationships with other dental leaders who provide encouragement, advice, and solutions when challenges arise.
“When things are tough, we pull each other through,” Claudia said. “It’s nothing but support and help for any office.”
The connections she’s made have also helped her identify trusted vendors, resources, and solutions that benefit her practice.
Bringing Value Back to the Practice
Over the years, Claudia has repeatedly found new technologies, services, and efficiencies through AADOM conferences and events.
“The conference has helped us save money, improve efficiency, and find partners that make our practice stronger,” she explained. “The more efficient you are, the more successful your practice becomes.”
When discussing the value of AADOM with dentists and practice owners, Claudia encourages office managers to focus on the return on investment, highlighting the knowledge, resources, and cost-saving opportunities they bring back to the practice.
Advice for New Members
For dental office managers considering AADOM, Claudia’s advice is simple:
“If you have the opportunity to sign up for AADOM, do it. Become a member, pursue your FAADOM, MAADOM, and DAADOM, and keep growing. We have to evolve as a profession, and AADOM is here to help you do that.”
After 13 years of membership, Claudia continues to invest in her professional growth while giving back to the community that helped shape her career. Her journey is a powerful reminder that success in dental office management comes not only from education, but from surrounding yourself with people who are committed to learning, leading, and growing together.
Claudia LaSmith:
With 26 years of experience in the dental industry, Claudia began her career as a Dental Assistant and has advanced into her current role as Office Manager. She currently serves as Treasurer of the NC Triangle Dental Professional Learning Network and was a member of the inaugural DAADOM class, earning her designation in 2021.
For the past 12 years, Claudia has worked alongside Dr. Tara Bell at Bell Family Dentistry, helping create a positive, efficient, and patient-focused practice culture. Her dedication to leadership and professional growth has earned her recognition as one of the Faces of AADOM 2025. Claudia is also a published author, sharing her expertise and insights with dental professionals across the industry.
Passionate about team development, leadership, and operational excellence, Claudia is committed to empowering dental teams and elevating the standards of dental practice management.
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!
