Doers and Achievers: A Dental Office Manager’s Balancing Act
Managing a dental office means wearing many hats. It is not just about completing tasks or planning for the future—it is about doing both.
Every manager must balance two prominent roles: being a doer and an achiever.
Doers focus on the day-to-day, making sure the office runs smoothly. Achievers look ahead by setting goals and planning for the future. The trick is knowing how to shift between these roles to keep the practice thriving.
The Role of a Doer
Being a doer means taking care of everything that needs to happen right now. It is about making sure the practice operates without any hiccups. In a dental office, this might include:
- Scheduling Patients—Managers keep the schedule organized, ensuring there are no gaps or overlaps and appointments run on time.
- Processing Insurance Claims—It is crucial to submit claims quickly and accurately. This keeps the cash flow steady and avoids delays for both patients and the practice.
- Staying Compliant—Compliance cannot be ignored, whether it is OSHA, HIPAA, or other regulations. It might not be the most exciting part of the job, but it protects the practice and keeps everything running smoothly.
Doers are essential. Without them, the day-to-day would quickly fall apart.
The Role of an Achiever
Achievers think big. They are not just worried about what is happening today, they are focused on the future. An achiever’s daily activities might include:
- Set Goals—Whether improving case acceptance or reducing no-shows, achievers focus on measurable goals and plan to achieve them.
- Motivate the Team—A happy, engaged team makes all the difference. Achievers find ways to boost morale, celebrate wins, and create a culture where people want to succeed.
- Plan for Growth—Whether investing in new technology, adding services, or growing the patient base, achievers always plan for the future.
Achievers bring vision and strategy, ensuring the practice continues to grow and improve.
Why Dental Offices Need Both
It is not enough to handle the daily grind and not enough to only think about the future. Being a doer keeps the practice running, and being an achiever helps it grow.
A great manager knows how to balance and switch roles when needed.
Striking the Right Balance
Here is how the balance between being a doer and an achiever plays out in real life:
Staff Scheduling
- Doers: Make sure today’s shifts are covered and handle any last-minute changes.
- Achievers: Think long-term. Do you need to hire more team members to support future growth or adjust hours to better accommodate patients?
Patient Concerns
- Doers: Address patient issues as they arise, whether a billing question or rescheduling an appointment.
- Achievers: Look for patterns. Are multiple patients mentioning the same problem? If so, it might be time to make a more considerable change.
Team Training
- Doers: Schedule regular sessions to update everyone on software or new procedures.
- Achievers: Focus on long-term development. Are there leadership opportunities that will help the team grow?
Balancing these roles is about knowing when to focus on the immediate and when to step back and think bigger.
Challenges of Balancing Both
Let’s be honest: keeping this balance is not easy. It is tempting to stay in your comfort zone, whether handling daily tasks or focusing only on big-picture planning.
If you lean too much into the doer role, you can lose sight of growth opportunities. On the flip side, if you are always thinking like an achiever, you might miss critical details at the moment. Finding the right balance takes awareness and effort.
Tips for Managing Both Roles
1. Time Management is Key
Set aside specific time for task-based work and planning. For example, handle immediate issues and save time for bigger-picture thinking.
2. Delegate When You Can
The manager does not have to do everything. Trust your team to handle specific responsibilities so you can focus on what needs your attention. Delegating duties is a good practice to remember.
3. Keep Learning
Whether attending conferences like AADOM or connecting with peers, look for ways to grow and learn from others.
4. Track Metrics That Matter
Use data to see how the practice is growing.
Are no-shows decreasing? Are revenue goals being met? Tracking these numbers helps the entire team to see where it is succeeding and where adjustments are needed.
Why Balancing Both Roles Matters
The entire practice benefits when the balance between being a doer and an achiever is mastered. Operations run smoothly, patients are happy, and the team feels supported.
At the same time, planning for the future ensures the practice stays competitive and grows. Being a dental office manager is about flexibility. Some days, managers need to focus on the details. On other days, managers need to focus on the team’s growth.
Dental team leaders can consider what their personality naturally gravitates towards doing or achieving and evaluate what roles could help the office culture to improve the practice and set it up for long-term success.
About the Author
Chavelle Galton-Rice, MAADOM
Chevelle Galton-Rice has been in the dental field for over 22 years, holding various roles within the industry, such as dental assistant, manager, educator, and Director of Operations. As a manager, Chevelle supports and empowers others to grow and succeed, creating a positive and collaborative culture.
Chavelle has been a member of AADOM since 2015 and received her AADOM Fellowship in 2020 and Mastership in 2024. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three kids in her free time while crocheting and drawing.
