We’re shining the spotlight on Lee McDonald, Practice Manager at Evergreen Dental in Dartmouth, NS. Lee tells us about her unique career path, what she loves most about her job, and her advice for dental professionals starting out.
How long have you been a Practice Manager at Evergreen Dental?
I have worked at Evergreen Dental for 13 years, and for seven of those I have been the Practice Manager. We’ve been partnered with dentalcorp for nearly eight years now.
Can you tell us about your career path, from what you wanted to be as a child to where you are now?
I started my career in retail management over 35 years ago. Once I became a mother, I was determined to go back to school and became a dental assistant at 40. I started at Evergreen Dental as a floating dental assistant, later transitioning to the treatment coordinator, and eventually becoming the Practice Manager. If you asked me as a child where I saw myself in 20 years, I would never have guessed it would be in dentistry. My team and our patients are what make me happy at work and excited to come in every day.
Throughout the years, Evergreen Dental has been very supportive of dentalcorp’s annual Give Back, Smile Back charitable program, where participating practices donate their skills and time to patients with limited to no access to dental care. Tell us about your experience with the program and why giving back is important.
Give Back, Smile Back is an amazing program that we feel privileged to be able to offer to marginalized patients who may not have the means to take care of their oral health. When these patients come to us, we’re able to look after their dental needs and also educate them on the benefits of good oral hygiene and why it is so important. We embrace this every year, it’s something we all look forward to. It is so rewarding to help others in need – it just feels right.
How has COVID-19 impacted you, your role, and the practice?
The pandemic has been overwhelming for everyone, but our team at Evergreen Dental has learned to cope with all the changes. We feel confident in providing optimal care to all our patients while adhering to all the restrictions put in place. We have all learned that if we continue to show compassion, patience, and kindness, we will get through this together.
What are some of the ways you have been coping, personally and as a practice, during the pandemic?
The pandemic has made me look differently at life and how we should never take things for granted. I started reflecting on how we all need to take better care of ourselves so we can take care of others. We don’t take enough time to just breathe and reflect.
What advice do you have for dental professionals starting their careers?
What ever role you choose, work together as a team and welcome change. We all see greater achievements when we collaborate and innovate together.
Anything else you’d like to add?
It has been a wonderful journey watching the growth and development of dentalcorp over the last eight years. I’m very proud to be part of this ever-evolving organization.
