After 13 years as a Dental Assistant and currently in her fifth year with Operation Dental, Neshmarie didn’t just fall into dentistry; she chose it, committed to it, and continues to grow with it at every step, becoming an experienced clinician, committed mentor, and a vital bridge between clinical and operations.

Right after graduating high school, Neshmarie went straight into a technical school to become a Dental Assistant. She completed her externship at a Dental Support Organization (DSO), and they quickly recognized her talent, hiring her immediately upon completing the program.

For the next six years, she absorbed as much as she could from hands-on clinical experience, exposure to various providers and patients, and a profound understanding of how DSOs operate on a day-to-day basis. After moving to another DSO and continuing to build on her experience over time, she realized that she enjoyed not just the clinical side of dentistry. Neshmarie cared about how teams worked together, how offices ran, and how culture impacts patient care. That perspective set the stage for the next chapter in her journey.

She started asking herself: What’s next? How else can I grow?

Neshmarie first heard about Operation Dental through Jackie, now a Regional Director, who had previously been her Office Manager at another DSO. Jackie reached out a few times to tell Neshmarie about an opportunity at Operation Dental. At first, she hesitated to make a change because she felt comfortable where she was, but her conversation with Matt, Operation Dental’s COO, turned out to be the turning point in Neshmarie’s career.

For Neshmarie, it wasn’t the job description that stood out, but who she’d be working with and what the company believed in. After meeting Matt, Neshmarie was impressed by his down-to-earth personality, honesty, and transparency about the company’s vision and core values, and decided to join Operation Dental.

From early in her career, she knew she recognized the importance of supporting and mentoring other assistants, training them to achieve success. Operation Dental gave her the platform to do exactly that. In her current role, she gets the best of both worlds. She continues to provide clinical assistance in various offices, maintaining a close connection to patient care and collaborating closely with doctors to foster relationships across multiple teams and practices. She also works on the operations side, expanding her understanding of what happens ‘behind the scenes’ and trains new assistants as they join the company, helping set them up for success. Her years as a Dental Assistant prepared her perfectly for this hybrid role. She combined strong clinical knowledge, some front desk experience, and her natural leadership skills to support multiple offices simultaneously, continually growing, and learning something new every day.

One of the most significant differences at Operation Dental compared to other DSOs comes down to one word: culture.

“What I love most about working here is the culture. Every office has excellent teams, and our operations group is full of supportive, hard-working people. It’s a really positive, team-focused environment.

The culture here definitely pushes you to grow. You’re encouraged to take on new challenges, and if you make a mistake, that’s okay, you learn from it and move on. Having that kind of support and understanding makes a huge difference. It helps you build confidence and keeps you motivated to keep learning.”

In previous roles, Neshmarie has observed leadership that feels distant, as if there is a significant gap between those making decisions and those carrying them out. At Operation Dental, that gap doesn’t exist. Leaders regularly check in not just about work, but about how you’re doing as a person. They take the time to build genuine relationships with team members across all levels and lead by example, demonstrating humility, kindness, and approachability. Even at the highest levels, among CEOs, COOs, and other leaders, there’s no sense of hierarchy in a negative sense. You’re never made to feel ‘beneath’ anyone. That humility and accessibility make it easier to speak up, ask questions, and feel like you’re part of something bigger, not just another employee.

Another difference that sets Operation Dental apart is the company’s effective communication and genuine appreciation. The leadership team involves employees in the company's goals, growth, and vision. Encouraging them by providing both professional and personal feedback and recognition. That kind of transparency helps employees feel connected, valued, and aligned. It’s not just ‘clock in, clock out’ work; it feels like being part of a mission.

“I’m excited to keep growing with Operation Dental and learning more about different parts of the company. It’s amazing to see how fast we’re growing, and I’m looking forward to being part of that continued success and seeing where it takes all of us. I’d tell anyone starting in a DSO setting to be open-minded and curious. There’s so much to learn and so many different paths you can take if you’re willing to grow. Don’t be afraid to speak up, ask questions, or take on new challenges; that’s how you learn what you’re really capable of. And always lean on your team.”

Her experience with Operation Dental has been that everyone truly wants to see you succeed. Neshmarie’s journey shows what’s possible in a DSO environment that values people, growth, and genuine connection. From Neshmarie’s first externship to her role today supporting multiple offices, she’s not just a seasoned Dental Assistant, she’s a mentor, a bridge between clinical and operational teams, and a key part of Operation Dental’s ongoing success.

Looking back now, she says joining Operation Dental was absolutely the right decision.

Are you looking to grow your career? Join our team today: https://operationdental.com/careers/