Best Dental Practice Management Training Programs for Office Managers

Running a dental practice requires balancing patient care with tasks like scheduling, staff management, and compliance. Many office managers transition from clinical roles without formal training, which can lead to inefficiencies. To address this, several programmes focus on building skills in leadership, finance, and operations.

Here’s a quick overview of six options:

• Remedico: A software platform (£99/month per doctor) that simplifies scheduling, billing, and compliance tasks with tools like automated reminders and patient tracking.
• Pikos Institute: A 14-hour online course (£1,075) covering patient acquisition, scheduling strategies, and performance metrics.
• UBC Certificate: A live online programme (£5,350) with weekend sessions on business strategy, finance, and people management.
• George Brown College: A one-year, in-person certificate (£3,050 domestic; £14,500 international) with a 100-hour field placement.
• University of Toronto: A 10-session online course (cost on request) focusing on business metrics and team communication.
• Schulich Mini-MBA: An executive-level programme (£5,800) for dentists, focusing on leadership and advanced business challenges.

These programmes offer various formats and costs, catering to different needs - from hands-on training to software solutions.

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Dental Office Manager Training from ADOM Founder

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1. Remedico All-in-One Dental Practice Management Software

Remedico is a cloud-based platform designed to simplify administrative tasks for dental office managers. Instead of juggling multiple systems for scheduling, billing, and patient records, everything is centralised into one easy-to-use dashboard.

Format

The platform works on any device and doesn’t require installation, making it accessible wherever you are.

Duration

The setup process is fast, offering immediate access. Onboarding includes free training and data migration, allowing your team to get started within just a few days.

Cost

The pricing is straightforward: £99 per doctor, per month. This includes unlimited patients, multiple branches, and 100GB of secure storage. If you pay annually, you’ll save 15%. Plus, practices with three or more doctors receive a free VR headset for the Dentaverse® patient education feature.

Key Features

• Smart Calendar: Automates appointment scheduling and sends reminders via WhatsApp or email. Each month, you get 1,000 free messages to help minimise no-shows.
• Patient Flow™: Tracks each patient’s journey from their first visit to follow-ups, reducing the chance of losing patients along the way.
• RemedicoGPT™: Handles form-filling and report generation in seconds, cutting down on tedious paperwork.
• 3D Dental Chart: An interactive tool that visually explains treatment plans, making it easier for patients to understand their options.
• Multi-Branch Management: Manage multiple locations from a single dashboard, with real-time access to patient records across all sites.
• Data Security: All information is encrypted, automatically backed up, and fully exportable, ensuring you’re never locked into the system.

Although it’s not a training course, Remedico’s intuitive design and built-in support make it a practical solution for office managers aiming to streamline operations.

2. Pikos Institute Dental Practice Management Course

The Pikos Institute provides a 14-hour continuing education programme that’s entirely online and available on-demand. This setup is ideal for busy office managers who need the flexibility to learn without disrupting their day-to-day responsibilities.

Format

The course is split into six modules, covering essential topics like patient acquisition, treatment planning, scheduling systems, and performance tracking. To maximise the benefits, the institute suggests that both dentists and office managers complete the training together, fostering teamwork and shared understanding [4][5].

Duration

Participants can earn 14 CE credits through this course. The lessons are designed with flexibility in mind, featuring video sessions that range from just 2 minutes to as long as 1 hour and 45 minutes. This format makes it easier to fit learning into a packed schedule [4][5].

Cost

The programme is priced at £1,075 per person (around $1,395) [4][5]. Payment plans are available, and for practices registering multiple team members, financing options are offered through Live Oak Bank for orders exceeding £7,700 [5].

Key Features

The course introduces practical scheduling strategies, including “Scattershot”, “Template Block”, and “Super Consult Day”, aimed at improving appointment efficiency. It also teaches the “Structured Follow Up” system, which helps convert patients who don’t immediately commit to treatment, often through automated appointment follow-ups. Participants will learn to monitor key performance indicators at both macro and micro levels using AI-driven reporting tools. Upon completing all assessments, participants receive a Certificate of Completion [4][5].

“I recommend anyone in any kind of dentistry, no matter the specialty - whether you’re a GP or a specialist - to attend this course because it’s incredible.” - Dr. Michael Drone, Prosthodontist [5]

The Pikos Institute has trained more than 6,500 alumni from 67 countries, focusing on advanced surgical and restorative practices [4][6]. The insights gained from this programme pair seamlessly with digital tools like Remedico’s Smart Calendar, helping to translate scheduling concepts into everyday practice. Up next, we’ll explore another top-tier dental practice management course.

3. UBC Certificate in Dental Practice Management

The University of British Columbia offers a certificate programme through live online sessions, making it a convenient option for office managers who prefer interactive learning without the hassle of travel.

Format

This programme is broken into three intensive 3-day weekend modules [7][8]. The weekend schedule is ideal for busy professionals, allowing them to participate without disrupting their weekday responsibilities. Sessions are led by faculty from UBC’s Sauder School of Business and seasoned dental professionals [7].

Duration

The entire programme spans nine instructional days spread over several weeks [8]. This structure gives participants the opportunity to process and apply what they’ve learned before moving on to the next module.

Cost

The total cost for the certificate is £5,350 (around $6,950) [8]. For practices enrolling multiple team members, a 15% discount is available [8].

Key Features

The curriculum dives into essential topics, including Business Strategy, Accounting and Finance, People Management, Services Marketing, and Operations. Guest speakers also touch on Personal Wealth Management and Investment Strategies [7][8]. The programme holds recognition as a CERP provider by the American Dental Association [7].

Due to high demand, UBC advises joining the waitlist to get notified when registration opens [7]. They also recommend that office managers attend alongside their practice owner, fostering collaboration in implementing new strategies [8]. This joint approach aligns well with tools like Patient Flow™ from Remedico, which help translate training into streamlined daily operations.

4. George Brown College Dental Office Administration Programme

If you’re looking for in-person training with a practical edge, this programme offers a classroom-based experience designed to prepare students for the day-to-day demands of a dental office.

George Brown College in Toronto offers a full-time, one-year certificate programme with over 25 years of expertise in training dental office administrators [9]. Held at the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences, the course includes a mandatory 100-hour field placement in the second semester, giving students valuable hands-on experience in a dental practice setting [9].

“Having graduated from the Dental Office Administration program, I was prepared for situations seen daily in a dental office. I acquired clinical knowledge and through the field placement requirement, my career was launched!”

Format

Classes are conducted at the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences, and the field placement ensures students gain first-hand experience in dental office operations before completing the programme.

Duration

This one-year programme is divided into two semesters. Students complete 13 core courses, covering topics such as dental terminology, software training, and human resources [9].

Cost

The tuition fee for domestic students is approximately £3,050, while international students pay around £14,500. These fees include tuition, materials, and student services, though books are an additional expense [9].

Key Features

The curriculum combines administrative expertise with foundational clinical knowledge. Students learn essential skills like appointment scheduling, dental insurance processing, inventory management, and accounting. Two courses are dedicated to dental software training, and graduates are eligible to take the Ontario Dental Assistants Association Certified Dental Receptionist exam for professional certification.

The programme also incorporates field experience alongside tools like Remedico’s patient scheduling software, helping students build core management skills. This mix of academic learning and real-world application makes it a standout choice compared to purely online options.

5. University of Toronto Dental Practice Management Course

This programme offers live, structured training tailored for busy UK dental office managers. It focuses on improving practice operations and team dynamics by diving into business metrics and communication strategies.

The course spans 10 sessions, held on Saturdays from September 2025 to May 2026. This schedule is ideal for working professionals looking to enhance their managerial skills without disrupting their weekday commitments.

Format

The course is entirely online, delivered via Zoom. Each session lasts six hours and includes lectures, assignments, and assessments. While recordings are available for review, live attendance is required to earn Continuing Education (CE) credits - watching recordings alone won’t count towards these credits [10].

Duration

Over eight months, participants attend 10 Saturday sessions, gaining up to 60 CE credits. This makes it a more in-depth option compared to many shorter certificate courses [10].

Cost

Tuition fees for the full course are provided upon request. For reference, shorter Category 1 courses at the University of Toronto typically cost between £40 and £80 [10][11].

Key Features

• Focus on business metrics, including EBITDA and Profit and Loss analysis.
• Use of the DISC behavioural assessment tool, “Taking Flight”, to enhance team communication and dynamics.
• Designed for the entire dental team, ensuring consistent systems and protocols.
• Certificate of completion awarded to participants who attend at least 70% of sessions and achieve a minimum score of 60% on the final exam [10].

“It truly blew my mind and is inspiring me to completely transform my strategy within my office - from the way I manage my team to how I care for my patients.” – L.D. [10]

Linda, the lead instructor, has been guiding this course since 2015. With certifications in practice management coaching and training from the Institute of Performance and Learning, she brings expertise in areas like accounts receivable management, scheduling, and case presentation [10].

This course aligns seamlessly with digital tools such as Remedico’s Patient Flow™ and Smart Calendar, ensuring participants can immediately apply what they learn to improve practice efficiency. By combining business acumen with communication skills, this programme aims to help dental managers optimise their clinic’s daily operations.

6. Schulich Mini-MBA: Dentist Business Leadership Programme

This programme is designed to help dental professionals develop advanced business skills that go beyond the day-to-day running of a practice. Offered by the Schulich School of Business at York University, it takes an executive education approach, focusing on strategic challenges rather than routine administrative tasks or software training.

While many courses emphasise operational skills, this Mini-MBA equips dental leaders to tackle complex business issues at a higher level.

The curriculum includes five key areas: Strategic Management, Financial Management, Marketing and Practice Growth, Human Resources, and Leadership. This well-rounded approach enables dental professionals to combine their clinical expertise with essential business knowledge.

Format

The programme is delivered in a live virtual classroom format, with sessions held on Fridays and Saturdays. This schedule is designed to minimise disruption to clinical hours, making it easier for busy professionals to participate.

Duration

The course runs over eight days, structured in modules. This modular format ensures that participants can complete the programme without requiring lengthy absences from their practice.

The compact yet intensive design offers executive-level insights in a timeframe that respects the demands of dental professionals.

Cost

The tuition fee is £5,800 (approximately $7,450 CAD). This reflects its positioning as an executive-level programme specifically tailored for dental leaders.

Key Features

Unlike general business courses, this programme is crafted exclusively for dentists and dental specialists - not for office managers or administrative staff. It equips participants with the tools to address clinic management challenges effectively, complementing digital solutions like Remedico’s Patient Flow™ and Smart Calendar.

Pros and Cons of Each Programme

Each training option caters to different needs, but their relevance to UK practices varies. While some programmes lean heavily on North American regulations, others are tailored to the UK’s unique requirements.

Remedico is more about operational efficiency than traditional training. It’s a software solution that saves around 390 hours of admin work annually and cuts no-shows by up to 55% [13]. Priced at £84–£99 per doctor per month (with annual billing), it offers a clear return on investment. However, it’s not a certification programme, so it lacks formal credentials or peer networking opportunities.

AADOM membership costs £229 annually and includes access to courses like “Office Manager 101” and “Insurance Essentials.” Members can earn recognised designations such as FAADOM and MAADOM, and benefit from a peer mentorship network.

“I’ve been in practice for 43 years and we’ve always been successful but this is a different level.” – Dr. Joe Perno, Voorhees Family Dentistry

The downside? Its focus on US-specific topics like insurance and labour laws limits its direct applicability to UK practices.

On the other hand, UK-based programmes, such as those from the Dental Training College, are designed specifically for local practices. Courses like the CQC Compliance Mastery (rated 4.9/5 [1]) focus on UK regulations and practice management. However, these programmes mainly cover regulatory compliance, leaving out broader leadership or tech-driven strategies.

This breakdown makes it easier to match a programme to your practice’s specific goals and challenges.

Conclusion

Choosing the right training programme for your office manager depends on their career stage and your practice’s specific needs. For new managers, AADOM’s “Office Manager 101” provides a structured first-year curriculum, covering essentials like metrics, scheduling, and hiring tasks [2]. If the goal is targeted skill improvement, the “Manager Moments Learning Series” (3 CE credits) addresses time management and workplace challenges without requiring enrolment in a full course [2]. For managers transitioning from clinical roles, the “Dental Assistant to Practice Administrator” curriculum offers a tailored path [2].

For practices prioritising formal credentials, AADOM membership (£229 annually) grants access to designations like FAADOM and MAADOM, providing office managers with recognition akin to clinical credentials such as RDH [2]. Alternatively, Dental Management Secrets offers virtual workshops like Management 101 (9 modules) and Management 201 (5 modules). These workshops condense decades of expertise into focused sessions, priced at £199 per module [3]. While these programmes build foundational skills, incorporating technology can further streamline daily operations.

Pairing targeted training with tools like Remedico enhances efficiency. While courses focus on theoretical knowledge, Remedico automates follow-up tasks, saving time and reducing stress. For example, patient retention strategies taught in training are complemented by Retention AI and automated WhatsApp reminders. Meanwhile, RemedicoGPT™ handles report preparation and form completion, significantly cutting down manual work. At £84–£99 per doctor per month [12], Remedico helps practices reclaim valuable administrative hours.