How one office manager found the education and support she needed to thrive—then built a local study club to share that same support with others
Running a dental practice takes far more than clinical skill—it requires a capable office manager who can lead a team, handle billing, master insurance complexities, and keep operations running smoothly. But who supports the professionals doing all that work behind the scenes?
For Sheri McVaugh, who is an office manager in Adamstown, PA, the answer has long been clear: the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM)—and more recently, the local study club she founded for dental practice administrators.
McVaugh’s journey into dentistry was unplanned. A background in marketing and customer service gave her strong people skills—but not dental experience. When a family friend asked her to help set up a new practice, she had no idea she’d soon be handling not only the front desk, but also chairside assisting.
“I had never worked in a dental office,” she recalled. “There was a lot of learning—charting, instruments, teeth numbers. Everything.”
That on-the-job training only took her so far. It wasn’t until McVaugh discovered AADOM nearly 20 years ago that she found the structured support and professional development she needed. “Before AADOM, there wasn’t much guidance. But this group provided the education I needed to be successful,” she said. “It was life-changing.”
Building a Support Network
As she grew in her role and gained confidence, McVaugh recognized something was missing: a local support network. In 2016, she took the initiative to establish the Susquehanna Valley PA Dental Connection as part of the AADOM-endorsed Dental Professional Learning Network (DPLN).
“I wanted to be better, and I wanted to surround myself with people who also wanted to grow,” she said. The club quickly became a hub for education, connection, and inspiration. Whether meeting in a library, coffee shop, or virtually through collaborations with other DPLNs, the group discusses everything from Medicare changes and insurance hurdles to AI in dentistry and team-building strategies.
Strength in Shared Experience
The benefits extend beyond professional development. For McVaugh, AADOM has been a source of strength during some of life’s most difficult seasons. The friendships she’s formed have become a lifeline—people who truly understand the challenges they all face. “They’re my people,” she said. “You don’t have to explain everything. They just get it.”
McVaugh’s involvement with AADOM has elevated not just her career, but her practice as well.
“We recently met with a company helping us with insurance contracts, and their rep told my doctor, ‘You are very lucky to have an AADOM-trained manager. That will make this process so much simpler.' It felt great to have that recognition. Doctors often rely on their office managers to navigate challenges independently. AADOM provides us with the knowledge, support, and resources to meet those expectations.”
