How to Become a Dental Office Coordinator

Dental office coordinators must have solid management skills.

Dental office coordinators are professionals who manage office records and greet patients, according to Degree Directory. Employment of medical and health services managers such as dental office coordinators is projected to increase 16 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental office coordinators in 2010 earned between $31,207 and $42,225, reports PayScale. Just one to two years of education can help you to become a dental office coordinator.

Instructions

1. Take high school courses such as biology, health science, math, English, computer applications and business, according to College Board. A high school diploma is required to enroll in a college-level program that will prepare you to become a dental office coordinator.

2. Look for programs that offer training in dental office administration or office management/technology. These programs typically lead to a one-year certificate or two-year associate's degree and are available at vocational/technical schools and community colleges. In addition, make sure these programs give you the opportunity to become certified in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation through a certified instructor, or find a local American Red Cross chapter office through which you can become certified in these areas. Dental offices usually require this.

3. Take college program courses that cover topics such as insurance claims, marketing, payment collection, employee supervision, payroll and computerized billing. Master skills including scheduling patients, confirming appointments, coordinating patient treatment plans, tracking budgets and managing patient charts as well. Also, learn how to control a dental office's inventory and order supplies effectively.

   In addition, learn dental principles such as tooth numbers, oral anatomy, the names of technologies and instruments and dental insurance coding, according to Education-Portal. Become familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's dental office regulations as well as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which aims to protect confidential patient information.

4. Look for entry-level front-office dental positions. Many employers look for dental office coordinators who have at least one year of experience in a dental office, so consider accepting a position as a receptionist or billing specialist first. In addition to looking at job search sites online, contact your college's career services department to get information about potential employers. After landing a job, learn your particular dental office's patient care procedures and policies as well as computer software system, such as Dentrix or Patterson EagleSoft software, to effectively handle billing.

5. Apply to job openings for dental office coordinators. Contact the American Association of Dental Office Managers, which provides an online job search tool in this field. Complete continuing education workshops and seminars through organizations such as the American Association of Dental Office Managers to stay current in the field.

References

• Degree Directory: Dentist's Office Manager: Job Duties, Career Outlook, and Educational Requirements
• Degree Directory: Dentist Office Management: 5 Steps to Becoming a Dentist Office Manager
• Education-Portal: Dental Office Manager Training Programs and Requirements
• College Board: Major: Dental Assisting
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical and Health Services Managers

Resources

• American Association of Dental Office Managers: Home