Let’s be honest—hiring a dental office manager is like dating. You’re hoping for someone who’s smart, loyal, emotionally stable, knows how to handle stress, and won’t ghost you after three weeks because the insurance aging report made them cry.

If you’ve ever thought,

“This person could really help me run the practice,”
only to find out two months later that they’re stress-eating protein bars under their desk while threatening to fight Delta Dental with a stapler…

Yeah, you’re not alone.

But here’s the good news: It is possible to find (and keep) a dental office manager who’s a rock star—not a Roman candle.

Let’s talk about how to hire right, support better, and avoid burnout—for everyone involved.

Step 1: Know What You’re Actually Hiring For

Most job postings say:

“Looking for a dental office manager who can do it all!”

Translation: We need a miracle worker who can schedule, verify insurance, file claims, handle drama, put out emotional fires, and still remember the password to the scanner from 2013.

Reality check: No one can do it all.

So before you hire, get clear on these:

• Do you want someone strong in insurance and billing?

• Or someone who’s more of a patient relations & scheduling guru?

• Do you want them to manage people or just keep the admin side running?

Pro Tip: Make a list of your “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves.” Don’t go fishing for unicorns. They don’t exist. But strong humans with good training? They do.

Step 2: Screen for EQ, Not Just IQ

A brilliant manager who can quote every CDT code but screams at a hygienist for using the wrong shade tab? That’s a no.

You want someone who can handle pressure with grace—not turn into a walking stress grenade every time MetLife says “denied.”

Look for:

• Emotional intelligence

• Problem-solving skills

• A sense of humor (yes, really)

• A calm demeanor even when the front desk printer is possessed

Pro Interview Question:

“Tell me about a time you had to handle a frustrated patient or team member. What did you do?”

If their answer involves profanity or uppercuts, politely end the interview.

Step 3: Don’t Assume They Know Insurance (Train Them!)

This is a big one.

Just because someone has experience in a dental office doesn’t mean they’re fluent in insurance-speak.
(Heck, most insurance reps aren’t fluent in insurance-speak.)

CDT codes, PPO contracts, alternate benefits, bundling tricks, timely filing rules—it’s a jungle out there.

Your new manager may be incredible with people, schedules, and logistics… but if they haven’t been trained in dental insurance, they’ll drown. Fast.

Solution? Get VeritasDentalResources.com on your team.

Veritas offers:

• Insurance training and coaching for office managers

• Help with insurance verification, appeals, and claims troubleshooting

• Guidance on PPO fee negotiations (because nothing says burnout like realizing you're getting paid $525 for a crown you charged $1,450 for)

They’ll take your new hire from “I think I know how to read an EOB” to “I just got us paid for that 3-month-old crown and made Blue Cross cry a little.”

Step 4: Create a Support System—Not a Stress Trap

Here’s how burnout happens:

• Unrealistic expectations

• Zero training

• No boundaries

• Being the only person in the building who understands why patients owe money when “my insurance should have covered that!”

To prevent burnout:

• Cross-train your team

• Invest in monthly check-ins

• Encourage time off

• Set realistic production and collection goals

• Celebrate wins (even small ones—like getting a payment from United Concordia before the next solar eclipse)

And remind them it’s okay to not have all the answers—because now they have Veritas to call.

Step 5: Keep It Fun (Yes, Really)

Work doesn’t have to feel like dental combat.
Lighten the mood. Joke about insurance reps who clearly haven’t been to the dentist since 2004. Bring in snacks. Give kudos. Build a culture that makes people want to stay.

Because when your manager feels supported, seen, and trained?
They stay. They lead. They shine.

And your patients—and your bottom line—notice.

Final Thought: Hire the Human, Train the Skills

There’s no such thing as a perfect office manager walking through your door with PPO negotiation skills, flawless HR instincts, and the emotional capacity of a Zen monk.

But there is such a thing as a capable, eager human who—with the right training—can become a practice-transforming powerhouse.

So hire smart. Train intentionally. Laugh often. And let VeritasDentalResources.com handle the insurance headaches so your new office manager doesn’t.

Because burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a system problem.
And now, you’ve got the blueprint to fix it.

Now go find your next rock star. Just don’t forget to teach them where the scanner password is.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com