Dental Administrative Assistant

Dental care settings require an extensive dental team to properly care for dental patients and provide the many services expected and required of dental practices. The dental administrative assistant is a key member of this dental team. Dental administrative assistants are responsible for processing new patient information, scheduling appointments, following up with patients to confirm appointments, preparing dental charts, assisting with dental billing and collections, and communicating with patients and dentists effectively.

They must understand the legal and ethical aspects of dentistry and healthcare in general, effective communication skills and strategies using multiple mediums, dental care documentation, use of a variety of office equipment, inventory management, the financial aspects and tasks required for the dental practice to conduct business, and personnel supervision and office management techniques.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Describe the dental industry and role of the dental administrative assistant.
• Identify and implement effective communication skills and techniques with patients and coworkers.
• Explain professional communication strategies for written correspondence and electronic communication.
• Explain how computer systems are used in the dental office.
• Explain the dental patient record including strategies for collecting, managing, and securing patient information.
• Explain common procedures for scheduling patients in the dental setting.
• Explain proper procedures and considerations for managing inventory in the dental setting.
• Identify the common office equipment in the dental setting.
• Explain common policies and procedures for financial arrangement and collecting payments in the dental office.
• Explain dental insurance including steps for processing a claim.
• Explain bookkeeping procedures in the dental office including accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the option to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

	National Career Certification Board (BCCB) Dental Office Assistant Certification (CDOA)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Administrative Assistant Certification (DAAC)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.