Office Roles – Who Am I Talking To
Most busy dental practices have lots of different staff members with unique roles. Patients may not know who all of the different people are in the office. Dental staff teams feature dental providers, dental laboratory workers, administrative workers, and billing personnel.
Our dental office provides a variety of services at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. The office workers and dental providers work together to deliver quality patient care. Our goal is for our patients to get a smooth and positive experience, from the first phone call contact when making an appointment to finishing up a dental treatment.
The team of dental staff at our office works to give you the most appropriate treatment for your oral health. Learn about each type of staff member in our office and what they do. The next time you need an appointment, call us at (619) 354-5136 and witness our commitment to our patients.
Primary Care Staff
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.
“Both dentists and dental hygienists also must meet strict licensing requirements in order to treat patients.”
Back-Office Staff
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.
“The back-office staff team mainly consists of dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians.”
Administrative Staff
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.
- Receptionist: 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.
- Administrative Assistant: 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.
- Office Manager: 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.
“Administrative staff members for a dental office do not participate in the treatment or care patients get.”
Treatment Coordinator
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.
“This position works with patients to give an overview for extensive dental care, such as crowns, dentures, dental implants, or bridges.”
Billing Specialist
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.
“Billing specialists may be responsible for taking payments from patients, forwarding paperwork to the insurance company, and calling patients who have past-due balances.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Staff
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Dental Terminology
Administrative Assistant
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.
Dental Assistant
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.
Dental Checkup
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
Dentistry is the profession that deals with preventing and treating any diseases and aberrations of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity.
Dentist
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.
Dental Hygienist
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 Technician
Dental Laboratory Technicians fix dental appliances and restorations. The fabricate various dental appliances and restorations using instructions from a dentist.
Office Manager
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.
Receptionist
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.
Treatment Coordinator
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.