Dental office managers are the glue that holds a practice together. They’re juggling schedules, billing, insurance, staff, and patient care all at once, and it’s no wonder burnout is so common. This job is tough.
Dr. Ryan Hungate, MS.
Preventing burnout doesn’t come from some big secret formula, it comes from the real-world strategies office managers use every day: leaning on their teams, keeping communication open, and using technology to make the day to day easier.
Let’s hear straight from the source. In this article, a few highly successful office managers share what works for them to keep their teams energized and their practices thriving, even on the busiest days.
Finding joy in the small gestures
For Ashley Whinery, office manager at Lux-White Dental, the key to supporting her team is recognizing the small things that make a big difference.
“As an office manager, I’ve learned that preventing burnout for the team really comes down to the little things that make people feel valued. For my team, it can be as simple as running out to grab everyone's coffee from their favorite shop in town. It’s a small gesture, but it shows them they’re appreciated.
"I also try to be mindful of our schedule, even on the busiest days, to make sure people have time to step away, eat lunch, and recharge. There are always going to be hard days in dentistry, but when your team feels prioritized and supported, it makes those days so much easier to get through.”
Communication and flexibility go hand in hand
Whinery also emphasizes the importance of speaking up when processes aren’t working.
“The biggest game changer for me personally has been communication and technology. You have to be willing to have honest conversations with your doctor when things aren’t working. For me, it was our software, I was spending so much time on claims that I constantly felt underwater. I finally had a conversation with the doctor, and we made the switch to cloud software. Now, not only can I get ahead on my work instead of playing catchup, but I also have the flexibility to work from home and answer questions remotely when needed. That flexibility has been invaluable in reducing my stress and preventing burnout.”
Training as a safety net
At Fountain Square Dental Care, Teresa Binkley has found that building a strong foundation across the entire team reduces stress when challenges arise.
“We make it a priority to train every team member on the basics of the front office, from making appointments to posting payments and insurance claims. That way, if someone calls out, the office keeps running smoothly and when they come back, they aren’t buried under a stack of work. Focusing on these essentials not only keeps things on track, it also helps prevent burnout by lightening my load and giving me peace of mind.”
Technology that lightens the load
For Amy Kaminski at Dawson Family Dental, staying ahead of burnout means staying ahead of technology.
“One of the best ways I’ve found to prevent burnout as an office manager is by staying current with the latest tools in our practice management system. Updates not only make day-to-day operations smoother, but they also help us fill last-minute openings, especially during the summer when patients cancel for vacations or forget appointments.
"Having the ability to confirm schedules through text and email instead of spending hours on phone calls has been a game changer -- it reduces stress for the front office and frees up time to focus on other important tasks.”
The bigger picture
Burnout is real, but it doesn’t have to run the show. What I love about these insights is that they prove balance isn’t about big, impossible changes; it’s about small, smart moves that add up. When office managers feel supported, the whole practice wins. That’s the kind of thriving I want to see everywhere.
As chief clinical and strategy officer, Dr. Ryan Hungate, MS, leads Henry Schein One’s revenue cycle management automation and One Platform strategy. Dr. Hungate is the founder of Simplifeye Inc. and an orthodontist. Prior to pursuing dentistry, Hungate worked for Apple designing the Apple retail workflow.
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
