Kim Nawoichik has been the office manager at Artistic Dentistry in Hanover, Ma since 1990. Although she had a few other jobs earlier, Kim started a lab assistant at Artistic Dentistry in 1987 when she was a junior in High School. Although she had been accepted to Mass Art, Kim changed her mind and attended Massasoit Community College and earned an Associate’s degree and a Certificate in Dental Assisting and Dental Radiology in 1990.
Kim wears two hats at Artistic Dentistry; not only does she oversee the everyday management of the office for Dr. Kevin Pizzi, she also is Dr. Albert Pizzi’s chairside assistant, a job that she loves so much!
When I visited with Kim, she was assisting Dr. Pizzi in placing a crown that she had made with the Planmeca PlanScan Dental CAD/CAM that she calls “Millie.” Millie is Kim’s baby and she is really excited about this part of her assisting job. As office manager, she especially likes her interaction with the patients. They are the favorite part of her job.
In a recent post on Facebook, Kim declared that Dr. Albert Pizzi was her “Best Friend”, a blessing that she spoke of at length. “He’s like a father, mentor and best friend all rolled into one. I am a part of his family!” Kim said. “He taught me everything I know! He told me to surround yourself with people who are better than you. “
Kim works with a great team and says that the office is a family because they have been through the good and the bad and are all great, caring people with three wonderful doctors. She says that the least favorite part of her job is when she has to reprimand someone. She doesn’t have to do it often and it’s almost always due to personality conflicts rather than corrections of tasks. Her Pet Peeve is when a team member says “I…” rather than “We…” because it’s a team effort She feels that when they all work as a team they accomplish so much!
“We’re a very giving practice and I LOVE that! We give back to the community all year round and I especially love February and Children’s Health Month. I’m very proud of my practice!”
She loves going to the Dental Managers Society Meetings (Formerly NEDOM) and has not missed a meeting since the South Shore Chapter started. Kim feels that she can talk to the group about anything! She loves the contacts, sharing ideas and the knowledge that her practice’s problems are just like everyone else’s. Kim loves the presenters and the sponsors and gushed over how much DMI has helped with their collections. She also wants to have Pam Dembski Hart in to help them fine tune their HIPAA & OSHA paperwork.
Kim loves having the chance to interact with so many other practices. The meetings aren’t “gripe sessions”; they are the exchange of great information. She’s made some good friends at the meetings and loves to keep up with them on Facebook.
Kim is excited as she looks ahead; she loves dentistry and still feels challenged by the future.
By Pam Snell, DMS Editor-in-Chief
This article was featured in Dental Managers Society Newsletter
