
15 Essential Dental Receptionist Skills For Your Resume And Career
- Customer Service. Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service.
- Phone Calls. Phone calls are a wireless or wired connection made over a telephone or a mobile phone between two people.
- Front Office. ...
- Patient Accounts. ...
- Excellent phone and in-person communication skills.
- Organization, time management and multitasking abilities.
- An understanding of dental office procedures and workflow.
- Computer literacy in basic applications like email and Microsoft Office.
What are the duties of a dental receptionist?
DENTAL RECEPTIONIST JOB DESCRIPTION
- greet patients
- register new patients according to established office protocols
- assist patients to complete all necessary forms and documentation
- verify and update patient information
- inform patients of dental office procedures and policy
- move patients through appointments as scheduled
- enter all relevant patient information into data system
How can I become a dental receptionist?
Ways that dental receptionists can incorporate detail orientation into their daily tasks include:
- Keep tasks organized
- Observing situations and making note of large and small details
- Fixing mistakes as they arise rather than waiting
- Limiting distractions
- Practicing good time management habits
- Following a set routine each day
- Being punctual in the workplace
What is the job description of a dental receptionist?
- Greet patients when they arrive at the dentist's office
- Schedule appointments for patients
- Maintain patient accounts and records
- Prepare and send patient bills
- Submit patient claims to insurance companies
- Assist patients in filling out required intake and medical forms
- Confirm appointments with patients via phone or email
What is the average salary of a dental receptionist?
The average Dental Receptionist salary in the United States is $36,256 as of March 29, 2021, but the salary range typically falls between $32,651 and $39,787. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

What you need to know to succeed as a dental receptionist?
Given the varied duties of the job, a great dental receptionist is calm under pressure, can juggle competing priorities and enjoys communicating with patients. That translates to skills like time management, communication, data management, customer service and adaptability.
What does a receptionist do in a dental office?
Dental Receptionist Responsibilities: Greeting and welcoming patients to the practice. Scheduling, rescheduling, or canceling appointments as needed. Assisting patients to fill out information forms. Preparing patients' charts and daily schedules for the dental staff.
Is dental Front Desk hard?
It is not difficult to be a dental receptionist, but you need to be organized, ethical, and punctual. Communication skills are a must, and some computer knowledge is also very good. As a dental receptionist, you will be in charge of the front office area, and you need to know the dental world.
How do you greet a patient in the dentist office?
1:123:14How to Greet a Patient in a Dental Office - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat should happen to your oral health and smile for you to be happy now you're getting way. AheadMoreWhat should happen to your oral health and smile for you to be happy now you're getting way. Ahead don't start there right start there don't stop there okay okay got it don't start there.
Is being a dental receptionist stressful?
Administrative Duties The receptionist should be able to thrive in what can often be a demanding and stressful environment. Before pursuing this career, job seekers should make sure they are physically and mentally equipped to remain calm in a fast-paced work environment.
Is it easy to be a dental receptionist?
It is challenging, sometimes overwhelming but mostly fulfilling. We try our very best to offer appropriate appointments within the system.
Is working at a dental office hard?
It's fast-paced. You'll need to anticipate the dentist's needs as they work on patients so procedures run smoothly. You may also juggle a range of duties that include assisting the dentists, charting for hygienists, x-raying the patients' teeth and helping with front office duties.
How do you answer a dentist phone?
Dental Phone Greeting Tips:Speak slowly and clearly. ... Be happy, upbeat, and smile! ... Make sure everyone who answers the phone says the same thing. ... It's important that the person who answers the phone says their name. ... Use Active Listening techniques.More items...•
How do you welcome a dental patient?
0:562:02Dental Assistant Tips (How To Greet Patients) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs dental assistants our greetings should be welcoming. And comforting. This is what they seeMoreAs dental assistants our greetings should be welcoming. And comforting. This is what they see warning scary give me all your teeth.
How do dentists deal with difficult patients?
1:177:36How To Deal With DIFFICULT Patients in Dentistry - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPractice is something that has helped me immensely number three another way to look at it aMorePractice is something that has helped me immensely number three another way to look at it a different angle to put yourself is in the patient's.
How do doctors greet patients?
Most patients want physicians to greet them with a handshake and to introduce themselves using their first and last names. The first step in developing trusting relationships with patients is an appropriate introduction.
How do nurses greet patients?
0:030:59How to greet a patient? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemember to respect the patient's privacy knock on the door before entering.MoreRemember to respect the patient's privacy knock on the door before entering.
What is chairside manner?
: relating to, performed in the vicinity of, or assisting in the work done on a patient in a dentist's chair a dental chairside assistant.
How do you greet a patient as a medical assistant?
Greet patients with a smile and let them know you're happy to see. Put them at ease from the start, and they'll be more likely to trust you and share their concerns.
What makes a good receptionist?
– Customer Service . A good receptionist is an expert when it comes to customer service. They should be able to answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and interact with patients in a calm and friendly manner.
Why is dental practice design important?
One of the most important aspects of a new dental clinic is planning a functional dental practice design that will meet future practice growth needs. Understanding the three functional zones within your office, including the public, production, and private areas, ...
What is the first point of contact for patients?
Your receptionist is the first point of contact patients will have. They should be competent, knowledgeable, and friendly. In many cases, receptionists will need to demonstrate empathy when patients are frustrated or unhappy. – Possesses Strong Product Knowledge.
Can a receptionist deal with an unhappy patient?
In a perfect world, your receptionist will never have to deal with an unhappy patient. Unfortunately, that’s not reality. A good receptionist will have to learn how to take a bit of verbal abuse. An exceptional dental receptionist is someone who can turn an angry patient into a happy one.
What does a dental receptionist need to know?
Overall, a dental receptionist needs to be aware that their role as the face of the office is critical.
What is the role of a dental receptionist?
While the role varies from office to office, the primary duties of a dental receptionist include: – Take stock of office supplies, order and restock while also maintaining a professional reception area. It’s a busy job.
What skills do receptionists need?
Additionally, according to Work BC, receptionists need to ensure they have active listening skills, ...
What is the best way to be happy in your job?
When you embrace that learning and work together with others, you become a greater asset. Also, a positive mental attitude can’t be overlooked. It’s the best way to be happy in your job, find new things to learn and make sure you are always progressing in your role.
Is receptionist a specialized job?
However, as the role of receptionist has become more specialized, so too has the need for advanced education and the skills to do the job – this is especially true in the healthcare field. For example, getting work as a dental receptionist comes from being a good fit as well as proving the skills necessary to do an outstanding job in ...
What is dental co-insurance?
Deductible – Sometimes referred to as co-insurance is the amount the patient is responsible for paying before services are covered by their insurance plan.
Where are the permanent teeth numbers on a dental chart?
Therefore, teeth numbers 1 – 16 are on the upper jaw, right to left.
What is dental abscess?
Here are a few of those dental terms: Abscess – Acute or chronic localized inflammation, probably with a collection of pus, associated with tissue destruction and, frequently, ...
Where are the numbers on the teeth?
Therefore, teeth numbers 1 – 16 are on the upper jaw, right to left. Teeth numbers 17 – 32 are in the lower jaw, left to right. Teeth numbers 1, 16, 17, and 32 are your wisdom teeth. Primary Tooth Letters – These are the first teeth to erupt into the mouth. The primary dentition is comprised of 20 teeth.
Can you learn another language at a dental office?
If you have your customer service skills down, learning the rest will come with time. With that said, sometimes, it can feel like learning another language when you hear the dentists talk with the hygienists and/or reading patient account notes. If you are new to dental there are many basic dental terms that you will hear in a dental office daily ...
Why is a dental receptionist important?
The role of the dental receptionist is very important as it is often the receptionist who the patient meets first. Dental receptionists also play a large role in the smooth running of the dental practice. Being a dental receptionist is a very demanding job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Because of this, it is important ...
Why is it important for receptionists to maintain a well-organised filing system?
It is very important for receptionists to maintain a well-organised filing system so that if any documents need to be retrieved, they can be quickly and without any problems or delay.
What is the importance of keeping a patient record?
It is important to keep the patients record up to date with treatment progress and any phone calls or correspondence (letters, emails, faxes) with regards to the referral should be documented, scanned/photocopied and filed away.
What do you need to do to be a good dentist?
A/ You need to just go for it! Be outgoing, courteous and reassuring; your patients need a friendly face and compassion when they visit the practice. You need to have the skills to gel with patients. It is also important to be able to take constructive criticism.
Can a dental receptionist become a dental nurse?
Becoming a dental receptionist often leads to the opportunity to train as a dental nurse and many dental receptionists perform both roles, which is a nice variety for a lot of people. If you are a dental receptionist wishing to become a dental nurse, then there are two routes into dental nursing, the NVQ or the national certificate.
What is a dental receptionist?
A dental receptionist will be handling a wide range of tasks and dealing with many different people. Being flexible and quick to adapt to new situations is important. Someone who doesn’92t get flustered in a busy dental office will do well in this position.
What is the most important element of a dental practice?
One of the most critical elements of any dental practice is making sure you provide the ultimate positive dental patient experience’97each and every single time. One of the key components of a killer patient experience is making sure your dental receptionist is an exceptional one. The dental receptionist is most always ...
What is dental procedure?
Dental procedures is a term used to refer to the medical procedures and processes which occur within or otherwise related to a patient's teeth or other connected and nearby elements. Such procedures are medical in nature and thus must be done, specifically, by medical experts and professionals who also must be in possession of the appropriate medical licenses. These procedures can include but are not limited to: dental fillings, crowns, extraction of teeth, and braces.
Why is scheduling appointments important?
Scheduling appointments is important to ensure that the timings of consecutive meetings do not clash with each other. Here's how Scheduling Appointments is used in Dental Receptionist jobs: Provided administrative support, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance for patients.
Why do dentists employ receptionists?
If a dentist wants to attract new customers and retain existing patients, they have to maintain high standard of both dental care, and customer service. That’s why many dentists and dental clinics employ dental receptionist, especially in the US (in Europe the practice isn’t common, except of fully private dental clinics).
What does a dentist ask in an interview?
The dentist or the dental clinic manager (or other body leading your interview) will inquire mostly about your motivation, experience, expectations, and attitude to various situations that can happen in relation to the patients, on a typical day of a dental practice.
Why is it important to have a receptionist?
Medical offices often consider it important to have receptionists able to deescalate situations with upset patients who might be anxious about procedures , billing items or wait times. Your response should emphasize your ability to empathize and communicate with upset patients while remaining calm.
What is the star method in dental receptionists?
The STAR method helps interviewers envision you as a promising candidate who thoughtfully resolves workplace challenges. Here are 10 questions you might answer at your next dental receptionist interview, with sample responses using the STAR method when applicable: 1.
Can you call your dentist for immediate treatment?
Patients experiencing emergencies might call their dentist for immediate treatment . Interviewers want to make sure candidates can confidently help someone with an urgent medical issue, regardless of whether the office can see them.
