1086: What Dental Practices Need Before Hiring an Office Manager - Lorie Streeter

Hiring an office manager can add leadership and structure to a dental practice, but the title alone will not solve problems with communication, accountability, or culture. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Lorie Streeter, a longtime dental office management advocate and MaxAssist team member, about what practices need to have in place before adding an office manager. They discuss when the role becomes necessary, the leadership qualities to look for, how to define decision-making authority, why regular communication matters, and how dentists can protect strong managers from burnout. To better understand what makes the dentist-office manager relationship work, listen to Episode 1086 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:A practice should consider adding an office manager when greater leadership and coordination are needed between the clinical and front teams.A strong office manager needs leadership ability, business awareness, level-headedness, and the capacity to manage multiple areas of the practice.Longevity in a practice does not automatically qualify a team member to become the office manager.Dentists and office managers should have consistent business-focused meetings in addition to their daily patient and team communication.Dentists need to clearly define which decisions an office manager can make independently, which require discussion, and which remain the dentist's responsibility.Trust between the dentist and office manager should include appropriate oversight of KPIs, scheduling issues, unscheduled treatment, and other important business indicators.Office managers need support, communication, continued education, and clear boundaries to reduce the risk of burnout.Episode Chapters:00:00 What dental practices should know before hiring an office manager.01:37 Lorie Streeter's background in dental office management.05:19 AADOM and Office Manager Support07:00 Why an office manager will not automatically solve practice problems.11:20 Indicators that a practice may need an office manager.13:08 Leadership skills and responsibilities of an effective office manager.16:13 Office manager workload and the risk of burnout.19:07 Communication rhythms between dentists and office managers.21:52 Defining decision-making authority and responsibilities.24:23 Managing communication in multi-doctor practices.27:13 Balancing trust with appropriate oversight.31:00 Qualities to consider in a prospective office manager.31:04 Transitioning from clinical roles into practice administration.35:00 How MaxAssist supports practice teams and tracks team activity.38:00 Final guidance for dentists and office managers.Guest Bio:With nearly three decades in the dental industry, Lorie blends deep field experience with a passion for growth and connection. As a former dental office manager and past Vice President of The American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), she understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities practices face. Her focus at MaxAssist is to expand impact through relationship-driven strategy, smart technology, and a heart for office managers.Episode Resources:AADOM: https://learn.dentalmanagers.com/Dental Assistant to Practice Administrator course from AADOM: https://learn.dentalmanagers.com/products/dental-assistant-to-practice-administrator-da-to-pa-curriculumMaxAssist: https://maxassist.com/lorie/https://www.instagram.com/loriestreetermaxedout/linkedin.com/in/loriestreeterhttps://www.tiktok.com/@loriestreetermaxedoutMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: [email protected] Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com