What does a Dental Office Administrator (DOA) do?

Dental office administrators are often the first and last person patients encounter in a dental office. They are often referred to as “the face” of the clinic. This means Dental Office Administrators have an important role and they need to have excellent communication skills and value customer service.

In addition to being great communicators, a DOA does a variety of tasks, namely:

·      Creating effective and efficient schedule for patients and staff.

·      Updating patient records.

·      Processing dental claims and predeterminations for treatments.

·      Collecting payments.

·      Communicating with specialists on behalf of patients.

·      Working with an electronic patient management system to update files and entering treatment procedures, booking appointments, and collecting payments.

There are many exciting career opportunities for Dental Office Administrators and they are employed in:

·       Dental Clinics

·       Orthodontic Clinics

·       Dental Supply Companies

·       Dental Laboratories

·       Insurance Companies

In Alberta, the average starting wage is $22-25 per hour. As with most professions, renumeration increases with experience.

There is also career advancement for Dental Office Administrators. Many DOA’s expand their knowledge and skills to become a Dental Office Manager.