Dawn O’Connell, BS, RDH

Growing up on a plantation farm, I was taught incredibly young that work was not easy, but the fruits of labor are worth the experiences. I thrived in the dental assisting program at the technical high school I had attended, and graduated with a high school Master of Technology Degree. I was the first in my family to attend college. While attending high school and college I worked as a dental assistant.  My dental assisting education & experience supported my acceleration in the dental hygiene program. I graduated top of my class and achieved the Most Outstanding Clinician award. 

After we relocated to our dream location, at the beach in our home state of Delaware, I was able to find a hygiene position very quickly. I worked part time for a well-established practice for about 4 months and then landed a position at a newly opened satellite location where I would be the sole hygienist. While working as an RDH and getting married, I completed my bachelor’s as a backup plan for any future ergonomic body injury we all hear so much about. Surprisingly, the semester I was graduating with my Allied Health Science Administration and Education degree, I was offered a position to teach clinical dental hygiene for my alumni. A leadership role of opportunity I thought I would someday complete, became a present reality. I taught dental hygiene clinicals one day a week as a clinician and received a promotion as the Hygiene Supervisor at the practice I was working at the other 4 days of the week. My husband and I decided it was time to start a family and once we were expecting, I resigned from my teaching position and accepted another promotion as the practice Clinical Supervisor. 

While working for a company that had multiple locations, I could see there were opportunities of growth on the horizon, and I was committed to that growth. I was then promoted as the Clinical Manager. I began leading multiple committees throughout our company & supporting procurement. 

During Covid closure, I had the opportunity to sit on the committee of the DE State Dental Society Return-to-Work Program. During this time, I had to manage not only the practice changes, but the growth of our family as work life balance is a proven challenge. I now was a wife, mother of 3 boys, 2 dogs, a bunny, and 5 goldfish!

As our company was acquiring more dental offices, our DSO platform was founded and I was promoted to Director of Clinical Compliance and Practice Development.  After a year, I was promoted to Chief of Practice Compliance where I support M & A, procurement, clinical leadership, team wide training, and all compliance at each office in our DSO. The journey to this position has demonstrated the seasons of my growth through life experiences and education. Continuing education and networking are a top priority for my professional and personal growth. I am proud to say I have over 20 years of dental experience in multiple positions in our industry. The journey and evolution of leadership is endless, and I am so excited to illuminate the pathway for others on their very own journey.