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A dental office administrator is responsible for the clerical duties of a dental office. Daily responsibilities often include answering phones, scheduling appointments, working with patient accounts, preparing insurance claims, managing accounts, and researching and following up on dental providers and insurance companies. A dental office administrator is pivotal in any dental practice because they essentially manage the dental office.
Dental office administrator training programs are available. These programs are generally offered through community colleges, technical institutes and postsecondary vocational schools. Dental office administrator and receptionist programs aim to provide students with general office skills and specialized dental office training. There are a wide variety of skills a dental office administrator is expected to master. Students will learn marketing, patient communications, staff relations, insurance billing and account management. Basic dental terminology, pathology and pharmacology is also required. The typical program length ranges from 24 weeks to one year and results in a certificate.
Upon graduation, the student should be prepared to handle the various administrative duties required to efficiently manage the dental office. Often times, dental office administrator or receptionist may be given the added responsibility of patient care. Such tasks usually involve preparing patients to be seen by the dentist.
A career as a dental office administrator or receptionist is highly rewarding and extremely marketable. If you’re looking for a career that is in demand, consider one of our institutions and the various programs they offer. It’s never too late to get your career on track!
Salary Range:
$8.45 — $39.24
Education Level (minimum):
Dental assisting program through trade school or career college
Growth Outlook (2002 – 2012):
21 – 35%
