Sunday 20 May 2018

The Roles In A Busy Dental Office Highlands Ranch CO

By Kevin Wilson


When you walk into a dentistry practice, you may expect to meet just the dentist who will be in charge of your care. In fact, you will encounter far more people than just the dentist. Other people who work there all will have a hand in what type of care you receive and how much you will be charged. By realizing the people who work in a dental office Highlands Ranch CO patients like you can get ready for your appointment and be proactive in your own oral healthcare.

Many offices have several hygienists on staff for every dentist in the practice. A typical dentist may have two to three hygienists working for him or her. Hygienists are specially trained professionals who have attended college and been licensed or certified by the state. They also are typically bonded and insured for the safety of the clients with whom they will work.

Most hygienists are specially trained and go to two to four-year universities for their programs. They know how to carry out tests like x-rays and scans. They also can take notes and diagnose some minor types of oral health care problems. Your hygienist will be the first person with whom you interact when you are called back to the chair for your appointment and possibly the last person you see after you are discharged.

Along with hygienists, the typical practice will also have assistants on hand. Assistants can handle everything from flossing a patient's teeth to fetching supplies the hygienist and dentist will need to use during the appointment. They also sometimes handle front desk matters like answering phone calls or checking in patients. Assistants usually have some formal training albeit perhaps not a college degree.

Aside from hygienists and assistants, you also will meet with receptionists when you first walk into the building. They will greet you and ask you for proof of your insurance or co-payment. They also will be the people you speak with on the phone when you call to make an appointment for a cleaning or other type of care. Receptionists typically undergo a minimal amount of formal training that make them effective in their role.

Secretaries also deal with phone calls and correspondence albeit on a less frequent basis. They answer phone calls and emails, coordinate with vendors, and also make and cancel patient appointments. They may work at the front desk or behind the practice depending on the building setup.

Sometimes secretaries double as billing staff. Billing staff members are in charge of billing insurance providers and sending out invoices to both insurers and patients. They make sure the practice gets paid and that the staff members all get their paychecks and benefits on time. They may have formal training in either human resource management or in accounting.

A successful dental office relies on a host of staff members on a daily basis. The dentists are not the only people who keep the place running well. People like hygienists, secretaries, and receptionists all play a role in how well the place functions on a daily basis. Clients can expect to encounter any and all of these individuals when they show up for appointments.




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