Every year, I look forward to attending the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) conference—not only for the continuing education, but for the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and look at our practice from a different perspective.
As the Practice Manager at Saving Smiles Dentistry in Fargo, ND, continuing education and professional growth have become an important part of my career. This year was especially meaningful because I recently earned my MAADOM (Mastership of the American Association of Dental Office Managers). Reaching this milestone has been a reminder of how much I value learning, growing as a leader, and bringing new ideas back to our team.
The best part of continuing education isn’t simply what we learn while we’re away. It’s what we do with that knowledge when we come home—and ultimately, how those lessons improve the experience our patients have when they walk through our doors.
This year’s AADOM conference gave me a lot to think about, from leadership and teamwork to technology, patient communication, and helping patients move forward with the dental care they need.
Here are a few of the biggest takeaways I’m bringing back to Saving Smiles Dentistry.
Building a Team That Cares About What They Do
One of the biggest reminders for me was how important it is to build a workplace where people feel valued, connected to a purpose, and proud of the work they do.
When team members understand that their work makes a difference, it changes the way they show up for each other—and for patients.
At Saving Smiles Dentistry, our goal is to provide genuine dental care to the communities we serve, including Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and the surrounding areas. That starts with the team behind the scenes and the team members that patients see every time they visit.
We also love hearing directly from our patients. Patient feedback, whether it’s a conversation in the office or an online review, helps our team understand what we’re doing well and where we can continue to improve.
When a patient takes the time to tell us that they felt listened to, cared for, or comfortable during their visit, it means a lot to our entire team.
Why does this matter to you as a patient?
Because a team that feels connected to its purpose is better positioned to create an experience where patients feel welcomed, heard, and cared for.
AI Is Changing Dentistry—But People Still Matter Most
Another topic that continues to grow within dentistry is artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is becoming a tool that can help dental practices work smarter by automating repetitive tasks, illuminating information that may otherwise be difficult to identify, and augmenting the work our teams are already doing.
But one idea really stood out to me:
AI handles repetition. Humans handle connection.
Technology can help us become more efficient, but it doesn’t replace the human relationship between a dental team and a patient.
When you call our office with a question, sit down with our front desk team, talk with a hygienist about your oral health, or discuss treatment with Dr. Johnson, Dr. Kenny, or Dr. Ensrude, you want to know that someone is listening to you—not simply processing information.
Technology should help us spend more time doing what people do best: connecting, communicating, and caring.
AI is also changing the way people search for information, including how patients find a dental office. As technology continues to evolve, we’re paying attention to how patients are looking for a dental home and making sure Saving Smiles Dentistry continues to be easy to find when people in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and surrounding communities are looking for dental care.
Helping Patients Say Yes to the Care They Need
Another important takeaway was the continued focus on helping patients understand their treatment and their financial options.
We know that understanding the recommended treatment is only part of the equation. Patients also want to know:
“How much will this cost me?”
“What will my insurance cover?”
“What are my options if I can’t pay for everything today?”
At Saving Smiles Dentistry, our team works hard to help patients understand their dental insurance benefits and maximize available insurance savings whenever possible.
We also offer financing options, including Cherry and CareCredit, which can give patients additional ways to manage the cost of eligible treatment.
Our goal isn’t to pressure someone into treatment. It’s to make sure patients have the information they need to make an informed decision about their oral health.
When patients understand their treatment, their insurance benefits, and their available payment options, they can make decisions with greater confidence.
Failing Upward: The Power of the Pivot
One of the most memorable parts of this year’s conference was hearing from Elana Meyers Taylor, a six-time Olympic medalist who made history by winning gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Her message about “Failing Upward” and the Power of the Pivot was one that I’ll carry with me.
Her original lifelong dream was to make the U.S. Olympic softball team. She had a difficult tryout, didn’t make the team, and suddenly the path she had imagined for herself was no longer available.
Instead of allowing that setback to define her future, she pivoted.
She set a completely new goal and tried bobsledding—a sport she had never even attempted before.
Her story was a powerful reminder that sometimes the path we planned isn’t the path we end up taking.
That lesson isn’t limited to Olympic athletes or business leaders. It applies to all of us.
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. A treatment plan may change. A dental concern may require a different approach than expected. Life can get busy and make it difficult to prioritize your health.
The important thing is not always getting everything perfect. Sometimes it’s simply being willing to take the next step and adjust when necessary.
Teamwork, Trust & Showing Up for Each Other
Meyers Taylor also spoke about what it takes to perform as a team under pressure.
In bobsledding, there isn’t much room for hesitation. Success depends on alignment, communication, and trust between teammates.
That made me think about the teamwork required inside a dental office.
From the moment you call our office to schedule an appointment, to the time you check in, sit in the treatment chair, and check out, many different people may play a role in your experience.
Your front desk team, dental assistants, hygienists, doctors, and other team members all have different responsibilities—but we’re working toward the same goal. And you’re an important part of that team. We want you to feel informed, heard, and involved in your dental care every step of the way.
Taking care of you.
When a dental office team communicates well and trusts one another, patients feel the difference.
Perseverance Over Perfection
Another message that resonated with me was the idea that leadership and success aren’t about having a perfect record.
It’s about getting back up when things don’t go as planned.
That is something I think applies to oral health, too.
Maybe you’ve avoided the dentist for years.
Maybe you’ve been putting off treatment.
Maybe you’ve had a difficult dental experience in the past.
Maybe life simply got busy.
Wherever you are today, you don’t have to have everything figured out before you take the next step.
You can start where you are.
Our job is to meet you there, listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
What Does All of This Mean for You?
Ultimately, I don’t want AADOM to simply be another conference our team attends.
I want the things we learn to make a difference in the care we provide every day.
That means continuing to invest in our team.
It means finding ways to communicate better.
It means using technology thoughtfully without losing the personal connection that makes healthcare personal.
It means helping patients understand their treatment and financial options.
And it means continuing to look for ways to make the experience at Saving Smiles Dentistry better for the people who trust us with their care.
AADOM gives dental leaders like me the opportunity to learn from other professionals, hear new perspectives, and bring those ideas back to our teams.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as a Practice Manager and dental leader—and especially grateful to bring what I learn back to our team here in Fargo.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not really about the conference.
It’s about what we do with what we learned when we get home.
And for us, that means continuing to provide genuine dental care to the Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and surrounding communities.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re due for a cleaning, have questions about your dental health, or have treatment you’ve been putting off, our team at Saving Smiles Dentistry is here to help.
Dr. Johnson, Dr. Kenny, Dr. Ensrude, and our entire team are committed to helping you feel informed, comfortable, and cared for at every visit.
Your next step doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be a step forward.
- Danielle Hewson (MAADOM), Practice Manager