Dental offices are busy, and the need for qualified staff to work the front desk is high. Dental office managers know the importance of having the right person to handle unique administrative tasks and to be the “face” of the practice. They know it’s well worth the effort and time to find the right person for the job as opposed to hiring just anyone.

Female dental office front desk support person.

Who is the Right Fit for Dental Office Front Desk Work?

The best kind of person for dental office front desk work is organized, well-spoken, and punctual. A good candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and computer knowledge along with the ability to multitask with ease. The additional training in dental front desk work will make you a much more desirable applicant.

What Will You Do as Dental Office Front Desk Support?

As dental office front desk staff, you will greet clients as they arrive, check them in, and alert the staff of their arrival. You’ll also schedule patient appointments and perform administrative tasks such as maintaining patient records, processing payments and working with health insurance companies. You will be required to answer the phones, contact clients, and answer patient questions. Dental offices are often busy, so the front desk staff has to be able to keep pace with the administrative needs of a busy office while also creating an inviting space for everyone who enters the practice, including other staff members.

What Can You Expect from a Career in Dental Office Front Desk Support?

Dental office front desk staffing needs are growing at an average of 5% over the next 10 years with many openings immediately available for the right people. A dental office front desk position can pay well over $36,000 a year as a starting salary, which is excellent considering the training for it is affordable and fast.

What Does Front Desk Dental Office Training Require?

If you are interested in working as front desk dental office staff, getting training specific to a dental profession will make you stand out as a candidate. The South Florida Dental Assisting School’s Dental Office Front Desk Program is a 12-week course. Classes are held once a week. Those with prior dental assisting experience can complete their new career in only nine weeks by meeting the prerequisites with proof of prior education and/or work experience.

You will learn how to navigate dental office software, manage and enter patient information, process payments, bill insurance, and create reports for the dentists. You will also get valuable training in phone communication skills and overall patient intake procedures. In addition to the practical skills, going through training to work at a front desk in a dental office will give you networking and interview skills to land your first job much more quickly. The investment in training, when compared with the salary projections for dental office front desk staff, is well worth it.

Working as front desk support in a busy dental office can be a rewarding and profitable career. In a high-paced office with multiple responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of people who come through the office. If you’re a driven person looking for a great career without a huge commitment of time and money up front, training to become a highly skilled dental office front desk worker is a great opportunity to consider. To learn more about our 12 week Dental Office Front Desk Training Program, how to enroll, or have any other questions about this exciting career, contact South Florida Dental Assisting School today!