Level up your dental career: strategies for success

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This article is contributed by the American Association of Dental Office Management.

Have you ever felt stuck in your position? It can be hard in today’s competitive job market — sometimes you may not feel confident, or you may be scared to make a change. But whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder, pivot to a new industry, or simply sharpen your skills, making changes is sometimes necessary for success in your dental career!

Self-assessment: understand where you are and where you want to go

Before you can level up, you need to assess where you are and where you would like to be.

  • Identify strengths and weaknesses: Start by making a list of areas you perform best in. Then, make a list of areas you feel need improvement. Asking feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors can give you a better understanding of where you may need to improve.
  • Set clear goals: What does leveling up your learning — and your career — mean to you? Set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant goals and stick to them!

Expand your skill set: invest in continuing education

One of the most effective ways to stand out in any field is to keep learning. Take the initiative to invest in your education. Register for all the CE courses you can. Keep up with current technology and techniques by watching educational videos and reading articles.professional woman smiling and talking with title overlay

Prove to your management team that you want to learn and grow!

  • Upskill: Identify high-demand skills within dentistry and/or the career path you would like to take. Consider online courses, certifications, or advanced degrees that can give you an edge and the confidence boost to help you move forward in your career.
  • Stay current: Attend webinars and follow leaders within your industry to stay up to date on new policies and procedure developments.
  • Master soft skills: Technical skills are extremely important. However, practicing soft skills such as clear communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence can make a major difference between a good employee and an exceptional one.

Networking: build relationships that matter

Networking is another major contributor to leveling up your career. It’s not just about going to events or attending webinars; you need to be personable and open to developing relationships that can help you grow professionally.

  • Seek out mentors: Having a mentor can provide you with valuable insights, advice, and guidance as you navigate your career. Look for someone whose career trajectory you admire. I will always treasure my friend and mentor, Jami. I had no experience and very little dental knowledge when I started my dental career. My professional experience revolved around working with children and within the restaurant industry. Jami provided me with the opportunity to grow not only as a professional but as a person. She took me under her wing and helped guide and shape me into the person and manager I am today. To this day, I continue to learn from and be inspired by her. I will forever be grateful for Jami and how much she has invested in me.
  • Be a connector: Networking is a two-way street! Offer the same support to others that you have been given. This will help you grow while you help others advance in their careers.

Seek opportunities for growth in your current workplace

You don’t always have to change employers to level up your career. Sometimes the best opportunities for growth can be found within the organization you already work for. I believe this is one of my current employer’s greatest strengths: Our CEO values employees and consistently invests in their education and skill development. I have been with my current company for nine years, where I started out as a front office assistant, answering phones, working check-in, and verifying insurance. Within my first year — thanks to my employer’s and managers’ guidance and support — I was promoted to practice manager. Today, eight years later, I am the regional manager for three locations!

  • Ask for more responsibility: Express interest in taking on more challenging projects or responsibilities. Volunteering for high-visibility initiatives can showcase your capabilities to leadership.
  • Seek feedback: Regularly ask for constructive feedback to understand where you can improve and how you can better position yourself for growth opportunities.

Leveling up your career isn’t about waiting for the perfect opportunity to fall into your lap. It’s about hard work, building your skill set through networking or continuing education, and always being open to constructive criticism to help you grow. Always strive to learn and better yourself!

Amber Farrar


About the author

Amber Farrar, MAADOM, is the Central Missouri Regional Manager with Access Dental Services in Missouri, a growing company with seven locations. She has worked in dentistry for nine years, beginning as a front desk assistant with no dental experience and leveling up her career to become a regional manager. Amber is a proud member of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM). She was inducted as a Fellow in 2024 and earned her Mastership in 2025. To learn more about AADOM’s resources for dental professionals and find more peer-to-peer inspiration, visit www.dentalmanagers.com.