A Letter on Leadership in Dentistry
Dear Dental Professionals,
Much has happened throughout this past year. Some of which may have hardened even the softest of souls. Through all of these events, the true leaders stood up and jumped in when it was the hardest, creating a new wheel to spin even when one didn’t appear.
Watching dental leaders roll up their sleeves and take care of patients during a time where we didn’t have answers has been nothing short of amazing. We created new boundaries and structures that help protect and guide us as an industry, keeping us safe.
Not only am I proud to be a part of the dental field, but I am also beyond proud to be a part of AADOM as well as the Triangle Area Chapter… This text opens a new tab to the chapter’s website….
AADOM proved to be a beacon of light in a moment of uncertainty. What this whole past year has proved is that leaders will always appear during times of difficulty. When many became nervous, AADOM members led by example.
When I came into this profession, I never thought that 21 years later, I would be where I am.
I started out as an assistant but knew there was more potential to grow. So, I learned and absorbed as much as I could, even if it meant doing things other people wouldn’t want to do.
That’s what leaders do.
They do anything necessary to help balance out the team. Leaders are the first to try something or create a new structure. Patients need us to do what we are trained to do and to conquer the difficulties set in front of us.
The camaraderie from fellow dental office managers is one that only attendees at an AADOM conference… This text opens a new tab to the AADOM conference website… could understand.
I watched anxiously as we awaited updates from Heather Collichio and Paul Edwards. I realized at this point that it was truly in my heart and soul to lead and find a way to help our team through this journey. Simply for the love of dentistry.
Dental professionals are people skilled at preparing and keeping not only patients safe but the team as well.
None of this is possible without the educated skills we have worked so hard to gain. We are a resilient group that will find our way. After all, we didn’t go through infection control or other classes for nothing.
The positivity that we dental professionals provide on a daily basis is more than just dental care; it’s also healthcare. Right now, it’s important to keep us healthy. Preventative care is linked to many underlying medical concerns.
Thank you to each one of you.
As they say, “Together, everyone achieves more!”
It’s true; if we can overcome this past year, we can do just about anything.
Dentistry is and will always remain valuable. We prove it by working together.
Meet the Author
Claudia LaSmith, MAADOM has over 20 years of dental experience. She began her career as a dental assistant and then transitioned into a management role at Bell Family Dentistry… This text opens a new tab to the practice’s website… in Cary, where she has led the practice for more than a decade and was recognized as Practice Administrator of distinction in 2019.
Claudia achieved her AADOM Masters designation in 2020 and serves as a board member for the AADOM Triangle Area Chapter… This text opens a new tab to the chapter’s website….
She and her family live in Apex, North Carolina.
