They knock before they enter…but barely. You’ve got one hand on the phone, the other hovering over your keyboard, and someone at the door asking about a missing lab case. It’s not even 9:30am. Managing a dental office isn’t just a job, it’s being the center of every moving part. You’re the scheduler, the insurance expert, the staff therapist, and the patient problem-solver. It’s no wonder you feel stretched thin. And burnout? It creeps in slowly…disguised as being ‘just busy’ until you’re completely drained. 

You’re not alone. Most of us have been there—or are still in the trenches. I remember being grateful for an office door so I could cry… then looking in the mirror, fixing my makeup, putting on a smile, and walking out confidently. I went home exhausted, worked countless hours, and still felt like I hadn’t actually accomplished anything. 

Recently, it hit home as I watched my good friend (who’s also an office manager) work a full day at her office. It was like looking into a mirror of my past self. She juggled multiple conversations at once, ran up and down the hallway solving problems in her girl boss heels, and kept up that pace all day with barely a moment to breathe—never once touching her actual to-do list. It brought back so many memories. The expectations for office managers just keep climbing, and something has to give. 

If you’re running on fumes too, here are three tips that might actually help: 

1. Set Boundaries (Like, Seriously) 

Being available 24/7 doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you the go-to for everything—and the dumping ground for every little crisis. The truth is, when you’re always available, your team stops trying to problem-solve without you. You train them to expect instant access instead of independence. It makes you burnt out. Your time is valuable—block off sacred time each week to focus on important tasks without interruptions. Turn your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, put a note on the door… even assign a gatekeeper. Whatever you need to do to protect that sacred time.  

You wouldn’t interrupt a patient’s root canal… don’t let others interrupt your deep work either. 

2. You’re Not a Superhero (So Stop Acting Like One) 

Although… I definitely thought I was. (Cape, invisible—obviously.) 

You don’t have to do everything to be effective. Focus on two or three high-impact tasks each week. This could mean reviewing monthly production numbers to guide goal setting, creating clear systems for front desk workflows, or finally updating that outdated training manual that causes confusion every time someone new is hired. The fires will still pop up, but you’ll make actual progress… and your team will grow more capable too. Taking the time to do this might actually give you the space to set up systems that work for you—and help mediate that mile-long task list. Leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters. 

3. Outsource What Drains You 

Your time and energy should be spent where it matters most—on production, patient care, and team development. If your day is consumed by time-sucking tasks that pull you away from leadership and progress, it’s time to delegate. 

Outsourcing doesn’t have to mean giving up control—it means gaining efficiency. Whether it’s scheduling, virtual assistance, supply ordering, or even full-scale revenue cycle management, there are support systems available to lighten your load and refocus your priorities. 

Birdseye Billing is one of those solutions. Trust me, I didn’t ever think I’d be on board with the outsourcing thing either (superhero syndrome—obviously). But now that I’m on the other side of it, I’ve seen firsthand what a game-changer it is. Revenue keeps flowing regardless of staff turnover, summertime vacations, unexpected life chaos, or last-minute callouts. And honestly, it’s been such a relief to just quietly support practices in the background—being one less thing the office manager has to worry about. Our team can handle the billing and denials, so you can stay focused on what matters most. 

Trying to do it all might be exactly what’s holding you back. A calm, capable leader sets the tone for a calm, capable team. 

Take a breath. Start small. And give yourself permission to lead without carrying the whole world on your shoulders. Just make it a priority to incorporate these three steps into your weekly routine—because when you create structure and support around you, managing stress becomes a whole lot easier.