We know we don’t have to tell those of you reading this blog that office managers find new ways to illuminate their brilliance every day. This is the fourth year of our annual Spa Day giveaway drawing, and it has never been clearer to us why office managers are so valued by their teams – and why they are so passionate about their careers. Read on to learn what never changes, and what cool, new aspects of this many-faceted role were highlights of our 2025 survey.
Last year, compassion was the most frequently mentioned reason for nominating an office manager. Many office managers were lauded again this year for their warm, engaging, giving and caring personalities, but what stood out to us this year was a dual capacity for both warmth and professionalism. They’re brilliant and highly capable – and they really care.
“What I appreciate most is their ability to lead with both precision and compassion. In an environment where every detail matters, from patient care to scheduling, to keeping the practice running smoothly, they manage it all with calm, professionalism, and a personal touch,” wrote Sue from Monterey, California.
One thing we know we’ll always read about is the complex, varied and high-level performance office managers add to their warmheartedness to keep their practices running smoothly. Navigating the intricate world of insurance was once again a very popular topic, along with budgeting, software mastery and training, and problem solving of every sort.
Skylar in Harrisburg, South Dakota, said, “What stands out most to me about Becca is not just how efficiently she keeps everything running‚ but the grace, patience, and professionalism she brings to every single task. Her steady force behind our chaos, the one who always knows the answer (or how to find it), and the reason so many of our days go smoothly without most of us even realizing the effort it takes. Her attention to detail, her willingness to help, and her ability to juggle a hundred things without dropping the ball inspires me every day. She doesn’t just coordinate the office‚ she elevates it.”
Perhaps the most fun part of reading this year’s nominations was the frequency of these three metaphors: office managers are referred to, over and over, as the glue, the heart and the backbone of their practices. Colleagues love their dedication, their passion for learning, and are in awe of all they do in and out of work. From “climbing all 58 14ers in Colorado” to caring for high-needs relatives, they do it all – and their coworkers want them to know how much they’re admired for it.
In addition to asking for nominations, we once again asked office managers to enter for themselves – and to tell us what it is about their day-to-day that keeps them coming to work year after year… after year! Clearly, this is a role that people stay in: many of our entrants have been doing this job – or have worked at their practices in various roles – for their entire careers. One dentist joked of their 21+ year office manager, “She is not allowed to retire until I do!” At least we think it was a joke…
After three years as our most popular answer to what they love most about their role as office manager, “Everything!” was toppled this year by “The patients!” Helping, from patients to staff to the community as a whole, was a very close second. A particular passion this year was relieving anxiety, especially for younger patients. This group of compassionate caregivers lives to see smiles restored, confidence boom, and pain and stress go away.
“I love helping people feel comfortable and happy to be here. We offer sedation, so we see a lot of scared patients that have put treatment off for a long time due to fear. I love seeing them finally be able to have treatment done and we can help take that fear away. They can finally smile again:)” says Stacey in Belmont, North Carolina.
As in prior years, these front-of-house masterminds love a challenge. Resolving insurance questions, helping patients realize they can afford their treatment, and even answering the phone in the middle of the night to work through an emergency are things that make them feel empowered, valued and integral to practice success. They love to enhance efficiency, help patients understand the benefits of proposed treatment, and to lead and support their teams.
Tracie in Boone, North Carolina, sums it up this way: “I thrive on the balance between structure and problem-solving, streamlining processes so our dentist and hygienists can focus fully on patient care. Every day brings a new challenge, whether it’s coordinating treatment plans, mentoring team members, or finding ways to improve efficiency, and I find real satisfaction in knowing that my work behind the scenes is what helps the office function as a welcoming, professional, compassionate environment.”
Wow, consider us dazzled! On year one, we knew a random drawing was the only way we could choose a winner and the truth of that gets more apparent every year. You all are truly a brilliant bunch, and we can’t get enough of your inspiring, heartfelt and varied stories.
See who won here and until next year, keep being your brilliant selves!
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