Dental Office Receptionist Job Description

Online Dental Receptionist Training and Education

A dental receptionist is an administrative professional who works in a dentist's office. They help the dentist and dental assistants with their work. When a client arrives at the office, they are often the first to see the dental receptionist.

Most dental receptionist positions do not require a degree. Many employers require applicants to have a high school degree. Candidates may be required to have on-the-job training in a dental setting.

Most dental receptionists get most of their training while on the job. Some dental receptionists choose to pursue formal training. The average length of a dental receptionist program is nine to 12 months.

While working a full-time job, individuals can pursue online dental receptionist training and education programs. A dental receptionist is supposed to help patients and provide assistance when necessary. They are the first person a patient sees when they arrive at the dentist's office and the last person a patient sees as they make their payment and leave.

The dental receptionist has strong customer service skills and is able to manage patient issues and needs effectively. The dental receptionists must maintain their professionalism. A person's ability to act in a professional manner is called professionalism.

A Computerized Approach to Dental Office Management

A dental receptionist has responsibilities that include courteous communication with patients. Since most dental offices have a fast-paced environment that continuously serves patients, you must have strong multi-tasking and organizational skills so dentists, hygienists and patients stay on a tight appointment schedule. As a dental receptionist, you won't prescribe care for patients, so you can focus on administrative tasks.

A dental receptionist is on the phone and in person to schedule and cancel appointments. An electronic or paper calendar can be used to keep track of appointments. When patients arrive in the dental office, you must greet them and let them know when they arrive.

If the dentist or hygienist doesn't take patients from the waiting room, you have to take them to the appropriate room for dental care. It is necessary to schedule follow-up appointments. A dental receptionist issues a bill after services are rendered.

If a patient has dental insurance, you must determine how much the patient must pay up-front from the insurance card or insurance agency. Accounting software and credit card terminals are used by dental receptionists. If you have current contact information for all patients, you can always make a bad check.

The dental receptionist is responsible for maintaining and updating patient records even though dentists are responsible for documenting patient care and recording procedures. Most dental offices have an electronic or paper filing system that is easy to use. Patient files contain contact information, allergies, medications, procedures, treatments, long-term dental care plans, X-rays, copies of insurance cards and dates of service.

A Sample Job Description for a Dental Office Receptionist

The receptionist in a dental office is responsible for scheduling appointments for clients to see the dentist at different times with regards to the doctor's availability, and ensuring that clients are attended to on time, without keeping them waiting on long lines. The receptionist has to keep client information confidential and handle them with care to ensure that they don't fall into the hands of unauthorized persons. The receptionist is responsible for keeping the files of patients in a private area, arranging them in a way that makes it easy to access them, and making them available to the doctor when they are needed.

The National Dental Nurses Association

Most dental practices expect good grades in the core subjects of English and Maths if you have a good education. A lot of people like the idea of becoming a dental receptionist and then becoming a dental nurse, which is a nice variety for them. If you want to become a dental nurse, there are two routes to take, the NVQ or the national certificate.

The website can be found at www.nebdn.org. It is important for receptionists to keep a well-organised filing system so that they can quickly and easily retrieve any documents that need to be done. The dental practice has a lot of administrative duties, but the practice manager handles a lot of them.

Dental Assistants

Patients run out of patience very quickly after an appointment. The Dental Receptionist is responsible for keeping the front of house organized. Answering and managing incoming calls, greeting patients, assisting in the completion of forms and telling patients of procedures and policy are just some of the duties of a Dental Receptionist.

Recording every last detail is important in a professional business. Dental receptionists need to be careful and attentive to ensure that the practice is running smoothly. Although dental receptionist duties don't include handling a drill or needle, it's beneficial for you to learn as much as possible about procedures, products and infections to provide further information and support to patients.

Knowing what treatment a patient needs is important information. Dental assisting may be just the ticket for individuals who want to be hands-on. Dental assistants are responsible for preparing treatment rooms, patients, instruments and materials in surgeries and routine maintenance procedures.