A Maryland office manager highlights the benefits of AADOM-recognized learning networks for next-level education, career and leadership development, and more
Reflecting on her journey with the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), Danielle Dailey remembers a time when the organization held only 1 annual meeting: the national conference. “Then, everybody started wanting more meetings, so members began forming their own local study groups,” she explained.
These local study groups eventually evolved into AADOM chapters and, more recently, they became Dental Professional Learning Networks (DPLNs), which provide dental practice administrators with exceptional professional growth, networking opportunities, and peer support.
“It’s been really fulfilling watching our DPLN grow over the past couple years,” said Dailey, who founded the Maryland AADOM chapter before becoming the president of its DPLN. “It’s been super helpful for not only my professional growth but also for my practice’s growth, and all our members are very thankful for the amazing community here.”
The More the Merrier
As a DPLN leader, Dailey explained that she helps coordinate both in-person and virtual meetings by creating content, finding event speakers and sponsors, and encouraging other members to attend. However, these meetings aren’t exclusive to her local DPLN network; they are open to AADOM DPLN members nationwide.
“We have 2 members who aren’t in the state, one of whom lives in California but wants to participate in our DPLN because of the content we cover,” she said. “We listen to our members and try to give them exactly what they want—whether that means casual, weekly meetings on Zoom to check in with each other, or holding meetings that focus on specific topics, such as in-network vs out-of-network insurance or the mental-dental connection.”
DPLN meetings also are open to the entire dental team. “Everybody needs to be on the same page,” Dailey added. “If an office manager goes back to their practice and tries to get the team to understand everything they just learned, it doesn’t always work. By including everyone, each team member gets to hear the information right from the horse’s mouth.”
It Takes a Village
Dailey emphasized how joining a DPLN can broaden an office manager's skill set, keeping them current with industry trends while connecting them with like-minded professionals who share a passion for effective dental office management and leadership.
“It takes a village to maintain a DPLN, and we made it to where we are today because we have the best village,” she said. “If I don’t know something, I'm confident that someone else does. With so many DPLN members to bounce questions off of, you're bound to get an answer from someone. Overall, I’m privileged to be part of AADOM and our local DPLN, and I would recommend both to every single dental office administrator.”
