What Do Dental Office Managers Do?
Dental office managers must be able to manage the day-to-day operations of fast-paced work environments and be trained in computerized billing and scheduling software, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance standards. Dental office managers must have advanced knowledge of dental insurance coding, dental terminology, and patient relations. Many employers also prefer to hire candidates who are CPR and first aid certified.
If you ever wondered how to become a dental office manager or what dental office training is like, there are a few ways to become trained as a dental office manager. Offered at community colleges, technical institutes, and trade schools, dental practice manager training options include certificate programs in dental office administration, some of which offer online classes.
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Dental Office Manager Training Options
Dental Office Administration Certificate
This type of dental office manager training typically requires one year of coursework to earn a certificate in dental office administration. Certificate programs provide training in billing and insurance, treatment plan coordination, and payment collection. Students also receive some instruction in clinical skills that will allow them to perform as multifunctional dental professionals. Dental office manager classes also cover:
- Receptionist work
- Patient scheduling
- Business office systems
- Records management
- Basic dental practices
- Dental technologies
Dental Office Manager College Degrees
There are dental management training and programs available for both associate's and bachelor's degree studies. While a college degree is not a requirement for becoming a dental office manager, it can be beneficial to have more formal training. Two degrees that work well for dental office managers are healthcare administration and business administration. There are options for both associate's and bachelor's degrees and either type can help you become a dental office manager.
Continued Dental Office Training
Dental office managers will often attend workshops and seminars that cover topics such as new software applications, workflow management, and updated privacy laws in the dental field. Professional organizations, such as the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM), offer a wide array of options for continuing education through free webinars, guest speakers, and annual national conferences. Typically lasting 2-3 days, the national conference presented by AADOM provides a variety of opportunities for professional development through training courses, roundtable discussions, and an expert panel of speakers. Continued training and voluntary certifications can boost your career and the success of your dental office by providing up-to-date information and tips on running your dental office.
Choosing Accredited Dental Office Manager Training
There are many options for training to become a dental office manager, and you will want to be sure it is accredited. For any type of certificate or training, make sure it is accredited through the American Dental Association (ADA) or affiliated organizations. Dental Office organizations like The DALE Foundation and ADDOM provide resources and training for both new and continued learning dental office management. For a general degree such as a healthcare administration or business administration degree, making sure the college is accredited overall will guarantee that you will be able to use your education for your career goals.
Dental Office Manager OSHA Training
Part of dental management training is learning the OSHA practices for dental offices. These regulations make sure that both the dental office staff and the patients in the office stay safe and healthy around medical equipment and waste. There are options for online OSHA training for dental office managers and staff through the government and affiliated training organizations. The annual OSHA training requirements for dental office training must be completed every year by every employee at the office, including those who do not directly work with medical equipment or waste. The training covers topics like:
- Bloodborne pathogen standards
- Personal protective equipment
- Infection control in dentistry
- Workplace violence prevention
- Ionizing radiation
Dental Office Manager Career Info
Most employers require candidates to have at least one year of work experience in a dental office. Aspiring dental office managers often gain the needed experience by accepting entry-level dental positions, such as receptionists, schedulers, or billing specialists, immediately after completing dental management training. Advanced management positions, especially in large private practices, typically require candidates to have at least five years of supervisory and management experience in fast-paced dental offices.
Dental Office Manager Salary and Job Outlook
As the following table shows, the outlook for careers in dental office management looks good since job growth rates exceed the expected average annual growth rate of 3.7%.
| Job Title | Salary | Job Outlook (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $40,080 | 7% growth |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Manager | $96,940 | 6% growth |
| Receptionist | $30,050 | 4% growth |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021)
As you have read, students enrolled in dental office manager programs will receive classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experiences. Some of the courses students will take include patient scheduling, business office systems, and basic dental practices. There are options for taking individual courses and certificate programs on dental office manager skills. An associate's or bachelor's degree is not required but can further your career with healthcare administration or business administration.
