The most familiar people patients know and interact with at the dental office are the primary care staff members: dentists and dental hygienists. These dental professionals deliver care to patients by examining the patient, taking X-rays, cleaning teeth, filling cavities, and more.
Dentists have acquired years of training to be able to diagnose and treat oral conditions and issues. Dental hygienists have also undergone several years of preparation in the field to do their jobs. These professionals have additionally taken part in clinical training experiences in their preparation. Both dentists and dental hygienists also must meet strict licensing requirements in order to treat patients.
Other key employees in a dental office are those working in the back. The back-office staff team mainly consists of dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians. Dental assistants may work alongside primary care staff members delivering patient care. They also work with back-office staff doing a variety of tasks related to the dental lab.
Dental lab technicians usually do not work directly with patients. Instead, they typically work in the dental lab restoring dental appliances, constructing bridges and dentures, fabricating crowns, and assembling orthodontics. Some dental lab technicians earn certifications demonstrating a commitment to high-quality lab work.
Patients interact frequently with the dental staff members on the administrative team. The administrative staff for a large practice may feature a big team of office workers. Administrative staff members for a dental office do not participate in the treatment or care patients get. They are instead facilitators and coordinators for scheduling, communication, and insurance paperwork.
Dental receptionists are administrative workers who primarily focus on communication. They often answer phones and take messages for dental providers. In the office, they may also greet patients and direct them to fill out paperwork.
Some practices also have administrative assistants working with dental providers. Dental office administrative assistants generally are responsible for communication and office tasks for specific providers. They may also help with organizing patient files, data entry, and other essential administrative tasks.
Most dental practices have an office manager who supervises the administrative staff and tasks for the entire practice. This key position may also be responsible for recruiting staff, hiring team members, and training new employees.
Patients may encounter a dental office treatment coordinator. This position works with patients to give an overview for extensive dental care, such as crowns, dentures, dental implants, or bridges. Coordinators help plan out the series of appointments and give patients a financial estimate of the cost for the treatment plan. They also work with the provider to determine the optimal course of treatment for patients.
Another staff member that patients may communicate with in a dental office is the billing specialist. As part of the front-office team, this role manages billing matters for dental treatments. They are generally the person for which patients can speak with about treatment options and payment plans.
Billing specialists may be responsible for taking payments from patients, forwarding paperwork to the insurance company, and calling patients who have past-due balances. When there is a need for extensive dental treatment, the billing coordinator helps price out the treatment plan.
Patients who have questions about billing or their account should contact the administrative staff. The office staff may refer these questions to the billing coordinator. Some dental administrative assistants may also be able to answer your questions.
At the first visit, the administrative staff may ask the patient to fill out medical history and insurance forms. Then, primary care staff members such as a dental hygienist and dentist may perform an examination. At the end of the visit, patients usually check out with a billing coordinator or administrative office staff member.
Patients can schedule their next visit by calling the office. The office administrative staff can help patients find an appointment time with their preferred provider. The administrative office staff may also assist patients with canceling or rescheduling appointments.
The supervisor overseeing the dental practice is typically the office manager. If patients have a question or concern about the practice, they should ask to contact the office manager. In some practices, the dentists may also be part of the supervisory team.
WebMD suggests that patients needing a new dental provider can start by asking friends and family members for recommendations. They should learn about the dental office's hours and the education and training of the dental providers. Then, they can check out the staff members and their approach to patient care when finding a new provider.
Administrative Assistants in dental offices usually responsible for administrative support to specific providers in larger practices. They help organized patients files, aid in data entry and similar administrative tasks.
A dental assistant works alongside dentists and dental hygienists and assists with patient care. They also work in the lab supporting the dental technicians there.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dentistry is the profession that deals with preventing and treating any diseases and aberrations of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
A dental hygienist is licenced to clean teeth and provide dental care services as well as take X-rays under the supervision of a dentist.
Dental Laboratory Technicians fix dental appliances and restorations. The fabricate various dental appliances and restorations using instructions from a dentist.
The dental office manager oversees the practice’s administrative staff and office operations. They may also be involved in hiring administrative staff and assisting with billing. They are responsible for making sure the day-to-day operations of the practice run smoothly.
A dental receptionist is a front desk administrative worker who answers phones, takes messages for dentists and staff, and greets patients as they enter the office. The typically assist patients in filling out paperwork.
A dental treatment coordinator is responsible for providing the patient an overview of a course of treatment, explaining the cost and helping them plan out the series of appointments. The TC will also follow through with the provider and patient to ensure completion of treatment.
