Job Description
Job DescriptionFRONT DESK REPRESENTATIVE – DENTAL PRACTICEPosition: Front Desk Representative / Dental Receptionist
Employment Type: Part -time/Full-Time
Experience Required: 3–5 years of dental front-desk experience
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced, organized, and detail-oriented Front Desk Representative to join our dental practice. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of hands-on experience working at the front desk of a dental practice and have a strong understanding of dental terminology, insurance, treatment coordination, scheduling, and practice management systems.
The candidate must be comfortable working independently, managing a busy doctor's schedule, communicating professionally with patients and insurance companies, and handling multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
Patient Scheduling & Doctor's Schedule
- Manage and maintain the doctor's daily and future schedules efficiently.
- Schedule new and existing patients according to treatment needs and practice protocols.
- Coordinate appointments for consultations, restorative procedures, hygiene, emergencies, and follow-up visits.
- Optimize the doctor's schedule to minimize gaps and maximize productivity.
- Confirm appointments and follow up with patients regarding missed or canceled appointments.
- Coordinate treatment appointments based on doctor recommendations and treatment plans.
- Handle emergency appointments appropriately and efficiently.
Dental Insurance & Pre-Determinations
- Verify patient dental insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Accurately understand and interpret dental insurance plans, limitations, exclusions, deductibles, annual maximums, waiting periods, and frequency limitations.
- Prepare and submit insurance pre-determinations / pre-authorizations for recommended treatment.
- Follow up on pending pre-determinations and document responses in the patient's account.
- Communicate insurance information and estimated patient portions clearly to patients.
- Work with insurance companies regarding claims, benefits, denials, and payment inquiries.
- Maintain accurate insurance information in the practice management system.
Insurance Knowledge
The candidate should be experienced working with major dental insurance plans, including but not limited to:
- MassHealth
- Delta Dental
- Aetna Dental
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental
- Cigna Dental
- Guardian
- MetLife
- UnitedHealthcare Dental
- Principal
- And other PPO and government dental plans
Experience with Massachusetts dental insurance plans and MassHealth dental benefits is strongly preferred.
Dental Knowledge
The ideal candidate should be well-versed in common dental terminology, procedures, and treatment planning, including:
- Preventive care and hygiene
- Periodic exams and comprehensive exams
- X-rays and imaging
- Fillings/restorations
- Crowns and bridges
- Root canals
- Extractions
- Dentures and partial dentures
- Implants
- Implant restorations
- Oral surgery
- Periodontal procedures
- Night guards
- Emergency dental treatment
- Treatment plans and sequencing
Candidate should be able to understand doctor treatment plans and appropriately schedule patients based on the recommended procedures.
Computer & Practice Management Systems
- Strong computer skills and ability to learn and use dental practice management software.
- Experience with dental software such as Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Open Dental, Eaglesoft, or similar systems preferred.
- Accurately enter and update patient information.
- Maintain electronic patient records.
- Generate and review practice reports.
- Run daily, weekly, and monthly reports as required by management.
- Monitor schedules, production, collections, outstanding balances, and other front-office metrics.
- Perform data entry accurately and efficiently.