DANB launches online HR fundamentals course
AADOM News
The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. has released a new online professional development course covering human resources for general and specialty dental practices. DANB's Assessment-Based Certificate Program: HR Fundamentals is an interactive e-learning course designed for dental office managers, dental assistants, receptionists and hygienists. Dentists with varying degrees of knowledge in human resources of the dental office may also benefit from taking this course.More

AADOM member spotlight - March 2011
AADOM News
AADOM introduces a new monthly feature called Member Spotlight. We will be shining the spotlight on an AADOM member every month. This first spotlight is devoted to Christine Branderhorst, FAADOM, Financial Manager at Pella Family Dentistry in Pella, IA and winner of our "Name this Newsletter" contest. Christine talks about how she thought of the name AADOM Insights and attaining the FAADOM distinction with her colleague and fellow FAADOM Barbara Houser. We send a big thank-you to Christine for sharing her story with us! More

Dentists at risk for hearing loss
Dental Tribune
Everyone knows there are certain jobs that carry a risk for loss of hearing. Rock musicians come immediately to mind. So do construction workers who use jackhammers. And don't forget the guys who use those yellow flashlights to direct planes at airports. According to experts, dentists are also among those at risk for ear trouble.More

Turn yourself into an office diplomat
Bloomberg Businessweek
By being open, listening to others with respect, and seeing the value in what they had to say — versus shooting down ideas — you can fashion yourself into a great leader and a true office diplomat. You could be the manager with a knack for making people feel included, gently persuading others to cooperate, and generally inspiring others. More

Are dental hygienists really the unhappiest team member?
Dentistry IQ
The prima donna is down the hall, right? Probably steaming up her latest batch of gripes and schemes for making the dental office a better place to work. At least, in her mind. Are dental hygienists really the unhappiest member of the dental team? An RDH eVillage survey in January 2011 polled 339 dental hygienists and 71 other team dental members (43 dentists, 30 dental assistants, and eight front office staff members). The results indicate that dental hygienists have similar "comfort" level as their team members.More

When less is more — Take charge of the chaos in your office
Denistry IQ
In order to stay in control of chaos — in your practice and anywhere in your life — follow the maxim of "less is more." Here are a list of "less is more-isms" guaranteed to help you communicate, lead and manage with greater finesse.More

Hold conversations, not meetings
Harvard Business Review
You'd probably be glad to skip most of the meetings you're called to. They soak up too much of your time; they are too formal and filled with data-focused PowerPoint presentations. And, nobody addresses the real issues. The net effect: everyone's imagination is suffocated, and they lose sight of the big picture. When that happens, organizations run the risk of failure. The best way to energize thinking is to hold conversations rather than meetings.More

7 steps to effectively mediate employee squabbles
American Express Company
Let's say you walk into work on Monday morning and two of your top employees are sniping at each other. You aren't sure what the disagreement is about, but you assume that the subject matter is petty so you turn on your computer, roll your eyes, and get started with your day. Pretty soon, verbal fireworks start exploding in the office. More

How to get a chatty employee to quiet down?
The Globe and Mail
Being a manager or a leader can be a challenging role in the best of times. Concurrently managing team/group dynamics can be even more difficult, particularly when there is an individual who demonstrates behavior that is disruptive to the rest of the team. It is important to identify and curb this behavior early on, to avoid having other members of the team get frustrated, discouraged or disengaged.More

The words many managers are afraid to say
Harvard Business Review
"I don't know." "I was wrong." "I'm sorry." "What do you think?" When is the last time you said words like these to the people who work for you? No one, boss or not, likes to admit error or ignorance. But an inability to recognize and admit openly when you lack knowledge or make a mistake will make you less effective as a manager.More