• Manage patient financial accounts
• Manage the hiring and ongoing performance of staff
• Manage and update office computer systems
Patient Management
• Oversee patient relations and handle patient complaints
• Help explain office policy to patients
• Help support staff as needed (i.e., appointment scheduling, collections, insurance, etc.)
• Monitor patient relations with regular patient satisfaction surveys
Staff Management
• Assign, direct and manage staff duties, as assigned by the dentist
• Determine staff schedules
• Recruit, interview and hire employees as directed by the dentist
• Orient and train new staff
• Organize staff training on OSHA and HIPAA compliance
• Display any posters required by federal, state or local law
• Monitor staff performance
• Conduct staff and salary reviews
• Coordinate team meetings
• Engage in conflict resolution
• Help arrange for staff CE
• Make business travel arrangements for dentist and staff
Records and State and Federal Regulations Management
• Help implement compliance with state and federal regulations
• Arrange for OSHA, HIPAA, and risk management training
• Maintain employment records
• Update and maintain employee policy manual
• Help dentist draft office policies
Marketing and Public Relations
• Oversee the design of marketing and promotional materials (print and electronic)
• Manage dental office advertising/recruiting ads for new staff
• Implement marketing strategies
• Coordinate event planning, conference travel, volunteer and mentorship opportunities, community outreach, and similar programs
• Assist with dental office facility management
Social Media
• Oversee the development and maintenance of pages on appropriate social media platforms, including the practice blog
• Supervise the creation of appropriate and engaging social media content
• Monitor and manage comments and questions that arrive via social media channels
• Develop and implement a strategy for handling reviews on sites such as Yelp
• Stay current with trends in the dental profession and social media in general
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent; some college preferred
• Dental experience preferred
• Working knowledge of computers for word processing, insurance claims processing and records management [list computer software experience required including any specific dental software]
• Knowledge or experience in staff management
Interpersonal
• Excellent communications skills
• Team player
• Conflict resolution experience
• Customer service or patient relations experience
• Ability to communicate all concerns to the dentist
POSITION OVERVIEWS — CLINICAL STAFF
Associate Dentist
• While minimum requirements vary from state to state, any associate dentist should have a current license to practice in the state and proof of insurance.
• examining and diagnosing patients
• evaluating radiographs and scans
• developing patient treatment plans
• performing clinical professional services including administering anesthesia
• repairing or replacing fractured and/or diseased teeth
• extracting teeth
• performing periodontal surgery
• prescribing medications for patients in accord with recognized guidelines
• authorizing the manufacture of dental prosthetics by dental laboratories
• confirming that patients are knowledgeable about the importance of proper oral health care and the connection between oral health and systemic health
• confirming that patient records accurately reflect the procedures performed and correct billing procedures have been followed
• supervising and managing staff when appropriate
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants can begin their careers through either on-the-job training programs, work-study programs or by completing college-level coursework through an accredited dental assisting education program. Requirements for allowable duties vary by state; check your state’s dental practice act to ensure that any dental assistants on your team hold the necessary education and/or training required. Specific information regarding dental assisting job titles, allowable functions, and the requirements for each state are available in an easy to compare format through an online resource from the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB). DANB updates this resource throughout the year as legislative or administrative changes are made to related state law and rule. The resource is available at www.danb.org/Meet-State-Requirements.aspx. Unless otherwise indicated, DANB has obtained state dental board review and approval of the accuracy of this information, and notes any questions should be directed to a specific state dental board.
Links to complete dental practice acts and administrative rules for all oral healthcare providers in each state are easily accessible through a joint effort between the American Association of Dental Boards