Being an Assistant Manager at Carew Dental is a busy but rewarding role, and every day feels a little different. I’m always on the go, juggling work tasks, patient care, and family time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s a peek into what a typical day looks like for me.
Starting my day
My day usually starts around 5:30 AM when I wake up. I gently nudge my son, Lincoln, to get him out of bed and ready for the day. We go downstairs for breakfast, and I make sure he’s got everything he needs for school. It’s a bit of a rush, but we always make it work.
While I’m getting Lincoln ready, my husband, Lee, is a huge help. He prepares my packed lunch and makes sure the car is packed and ready for the day. It’s such a relief to have his support in the mornings, as it allows me to focus on getting Lincoln to school and getting myself ready for work.
Once Lincoln is all set for school, I take a quick shower, get dressed, and prepare myself for the day ahead. I try to take a few minutes for myself to mentally prepare, as the day is about to get busy. After that, it’s time for the school run. As I drive Lincoln to school, I call my mam to check in on her and make sure she’s doing okay. We catch up on how things are going, and it’s a nice way to stay connected during the hustle and bustle of the day.
I drop Lincoln off at school, which gives me a moment to switch gears before heading into work.
Arriving at Carew Dental
I get to Carew Dental around 8:10 AM and settle in. The first thing I do is prepare for our morning huddle. This is a daily meeting with the team where we discuss our goals, share any important updates, and make sure we’re all on the same page for the day. I love leading these huddles because it’s a chance to connect with everyone and set the tone for the day.
After the huddle, I dive into my emails. There’s always something to catch up on, whether it’s responding to urgent messages or organising tasks. Once that’s sorted, I focus on compliance-related work. A big part of my role is making sure our practice stays up to date with dental regulations, so I spend some time each day handling compliance tasks, making sure we’re meeting all the necessary standards.
Throughout the day, I make regular rounds to check in with the team. I walk around the office, offer support where needed, and make sure everything is running smoothly. I also spend some time interacting with patients, getting to know them, and making sure they’re having a positive experience. I really enjoy building relationships with our patients, and it’s one of the best parts of my job.
In addition to that, I handle a variety of HR-related tasks. From managing schedules to addressing any employee concerns, there’s always something to keep me busy. I try to make sure that the team feels supported and that we maintain a positive, productive work environment.
I also find myself helping with both clinical and non-clinical queries. Whether it’s answering a question from a team member or helping with patient concerns, no two days are ever the same, and I enjoy the variety.
Ending my workday
By late afternoon, I start wrapping up my work and head home. It’s always a relief to leave the office knowing that everything is in order, and I can now focus on spending time with Lincoln. We usually hang out for a bit, talk about our days, and just enjoy some quality time together.
Once it’s time for his bath, my husband takes over while I handle some housework. After Lincoln’s bath, he goes to bed, and my husband and I sit down together for dinner. We get to enjoy a meal and talk about our days, which is one of my favourite parts of the evening. I also make a quick call to my mam before dinner, just to check in again and make sure she’s okay. It’s important to me to stay connected with her, and I try to make that a part of my routine.
After dinner, my husband and I like to relax by watching a crime mini-series. It’s our way of unwinding after a long day and enjoying some downtime together. By around 10:00 PM, it’s bedtime. I get ready for bed, knowing that tomorrow will bring another busy, but fulfilling day. Being an Assistant Manager at Carew Dental means balancing a lot of responsibilities, but it’s so rewarding to be able to support both my team and my family. Each day brings something new, and I feel lucky to have a job that I love and a family I cherish.
Blog post author: Nikki Dunville, Assistant Manager at Carew Dental
