Practice managers inducted with honors

First class of Diplomates among AADOM inductees for 2021

DANB and the DALE Foundation extend a heartfelt congratulations to the 2021 class of American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) Fellows, Masters and Diplomates.

This year, 94 dental office managers earned these prestigious dental distinctions during AADOM’s annual conference held Sept. 9-11 in Orlando, Florida. In total, 19 DAADOMs, 20 MAADOMS, and 55 FAADOMs were recognized during the induction ceremony. The in-person event was streamed to AADOM’s Facebook page, so that online viewers could also see the event, including hearing AADOM Founder and President Heather Colicchio’s opening address.

“Since the induction ceremony last year was virtual, this year’s was even more memorable,” says Jennifer Steadman, DAADOM, Director of Operations at New England Dental Partners in Massachusetts and founder of the Boston chapter of AADOM.

To kick off the ceremony, Colicchio greeted the inductees and audience. Then, Fellows walked across the stage to receive their award as Odyssey Management’s Teresa Duncan, M.S., called their names.

Next, Masters crossed the stage as AADOM Vice President Lorie Streeter, CTC, FAADOM, introduced them. As part of meeting AADOM Mastership requirements, MAADOM candidates must hold current AADOM Fellowship distinction, as well as successfully complete the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program.

Lastly, the members of the class of Diplomates were recognized as Colicchio called their names. “This is the induction of our very first class of AADOM Diplomates for 2021,” Colicchio told the audience. “These DAADOMs are unstoppable, and I am so amazingly proud. It is my honor to induct the AADOM 2021 class of Diplomates.”

Among those inducted were Valarie Caulfield, DAADOM, office manager at Sodorff and Wilson Family Dentistry in Spokane Valley, Washington. “I chose to pursue the Diplomate distinction because dentistry is my career; why not shoot for the stars?” Caulfield shares. “Being one of 19 in the nation to have achieved the Diplomate distinction makes me so proud, to be among the very best in dental office management.”

Agrees Steadman, “The 19 DAADOM inductees have a tight bond from going through the program together. We supported each other through the process and were each other’s cheerleaders, making sure we all met deadlines and accomplished this together.” Caulfield — who was not only in this year’s inaugural DAADOM class, but also among those acknowledged as an AADOM Practice Administrator of Distinction — was grateful to be back at an in-person AADOM conference. “I did attend the national conference in Orlando, and it was so fabulous getting to network with my people again.

“One takeaway I got from the national conference recently was that as office managers in our practices, it’s up to us to set all of our team members up for the future, to keep teaching each other and keep learning,” Caulfield continues. “As with everything, change is inevitable, with technology, insurance, products and people. Let’s build each other up and help every generation beyond our own succeed. Let’s continue demonstrating our professional pride. I know that I am very proud of my profession.”