What does a dental assistant/receptionist do?
A dental assistant/receptionist is responsible for managing dental appointments, including scheduling or canceling patients' dental sessions. Dental assistants/receptionists inform patients ahead of time if the dentist is out to reschedule another appointment. They also process payments, respond to customer's inquiries about dental services the clinic offers, updating patient information on the database, and creating a patient chart and visiting records for the dental staff's reference. A dental assistant/receptionist must have excellent communication and organization skills to assist patients efficiently and perform administrative tasks as needed.
Dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real dental assistant/receptionist resumes:
- Coordinate continuing education courses, schedule in office training sessions and manage first aid, CPR and a certifications.
- Contact pharmacist to authorize medication for patients prior to dental procedures.
- Store records securely and handle in compliance with legal requirements, including the HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
- Assist in a variety of dental procedures including all types of fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns and dentures.
- Chart, examination/treatment information, scheduled/cancel appointments using CDA.
- Provide state-of-the-art individualize orthodontic treatment to adult and adolescent patients.
- Certify in CPR and digital dental radiography and safety certification.
- Maintain a confidential and professional office environment and patient HIPAA confidentiality.
- Perform and maintain operating field while assisting in amalgam and composite restoration procedures.
- Receive and schedule patients using DENTRIX and/or relays follow-up appointment requirements to clinic receptionists.
- Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.
- Confirm patient's charts are up to date for current year regarding consent paperwork, insurance plans and HIPPA forms.
- Perform required laboratory procedures, take dental impressions, pour plaster models, make whitening trays and setting teeth for dentures.
- Schedule appointments, recall, confirm and light front office responsibilities including phones, filling, checking in experience with Dentrix.
- Adhere to HIPPA guidelines and ensure patient confidentiality.
Dental assistant/receptionist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Dental Assistant/Receptionists are proficient in Patients, Customer Service, and Dental Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Dexterity, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Dental Assistant/Receptionists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 31%
Contacted pharmacist to authorize medication for patients prior to dental procedures.
- Customer Service, 8%
Experienced Customer Service Representative Self-directed, detailed oriented and organized individual that is comfortable working in an open team environment.
- Dental Procedures, 5%
Sterilized instruments and disinfected equipment, preparing and laying out instruments for various dental procedures.
- Appointment Scheduling, 4%
Demonstrated organized clerical work, effective maintenance of medical records including patient processing, answering phones, and appointment scheduling.
- Strong Computer, 4%
Utilize strong communication skills as well as strong computer and internet research skills.
- Dental Care, 4%
Provided general administrative support and comprehensive general dental care and complex dental issues.
Most dental assistant/receptionists use their skills in "patients," "customer service," and "dental procedures" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a dental assistant/receptionist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "dental assistants must follow specific rules and protocols, such as infection control procedures, when helping dentists treat patients." Dental assistant/receptionists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "detailed knowledge of general and surgical dental terminology and submission of insurance claims. "
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform dental assistant/receptionist duties is dexterity. Dental assistant/receptionists responsibilities require that "dental assistants must be good at working with their hands." Dental assistant/receptionists also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assisted in all surgical procedures including implant placement, sinus lifts, bone and tissue grafts, and crown lengthening. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of dental assistant/receptionists is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday dental assistant/receptionist duties, as "dental assistants work closely with dentists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "valued interpersonal skills with patients during the operative process and the front desk. "
Listening skills. A big part of what dental assistant/receptionists do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities because "dental assistants must pay attention to patients and other healthcare workers." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical dental assistant/receptionist tasks: "communicated daily with dental insurance companies regarding claims, pre-authorizations, and patient benefit summaries. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of dental assistant/receptionists all the time, as "dental assistants should have excellent organizational skills." An excerpt from a real dental assistant/receptionist resume shows how this skill is central to what a dental assistant/receptionist does: "improved organizational skills in order to successfully handle day-to-day inquiries, complaints, and patient care in a fast-paced environment. "
The three companies that hire the most dental assistant/receptionists are:
- Heartland Dental293 dental assistant/receptionists jobs
- Dental Care Alliance10 dental assistant/receptionists jobs
- Familia Dental8 dental assistant/receptionists jobs
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Compare different dental assistant/receptionists
Dental assistant/receptionist vs. Dental technician
Dental Technicians manufacture dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures in accordance with the dentist's specifications. They are also responsible for replacing, repairing, or modifying full or partial dentures.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between dental assistant/receptionists and dental technician. For instance, dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "appointment scheduling," "strong computer," and "financial arrangements." Whereas a dental technician is skilled in "prosthetics," "dental lab," "cad cam," and "cad/cam." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Dental technicians tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,090. In contrast, dental assistant/receptionists make the biggest average salary, $37,322, in the health care industry.dental technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than dental assistant/receptionists. In fact, dental technicians are 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Dental assistant/receptionist vs. Assistant to the chairperson
An Assistant to the Chairperson performs various administrative functions, such as faculty appointment and promotion, special projects management and coordination, and research administration. They report directly to the chairperson.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, dental assistant/receptionist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "appointment scheduling," "strong computer," and "dental care." Meanwhile, an assistant to the chairperson has duties that require skills in areas such as "travel arrangements," "financial reports," "scheduling appointments," and "meeting minutes." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Assistants to the chairperson earn a higher average salary than dental assistant/receptionists. But assistants to the chairperson earn the highest pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $50,188. Additionally, dental assistant/receptionists earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $37,322 annually.assistants to the chairperson earn higher levels of education than dental assistant/receptionists in general. They're 10.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Dental assistant/receptionist vs. Oral surgery assistant
An Oral Surgery Assistant prepares patients for surgery and provides them with needed care. They also make notes about performed procedures, progress, recommendations, and other subjects in the patient's charts.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from dental assistant/receptionist resumes include skills like "customer service," "appointment scheduling," "strong computer," and "financial arrangements," whereas an oral surgery assistant is more likely to list skills in "iv," "osha," "general anesthesia," and "blood pressure. "
Oral surgery assistants typically earn similar educational levels compared to dental assistant/receptionists. Specifically, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Dental assistant/receptionist vs. Orthodontic assistant
An Orthodontic Assistant works under the supervision of an orthodontist. They prepare the appointment rooms prior to patients visits, take the patients oral health history, assess patients through examining them, and determine their needs for orthodontic care.
Types of dental assistant/receptionist
Updated January 8, 2025
