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INTRODUCTION

The dental health care team works together to educate patients and maintain oral health through
preventive care as well as treatment of disease, disorders and other conditions that may arise
within the oral cavity. The dental field offers a rewarding profession in which dentists and team
members have the ability to improve the quality of life, self-esteem, and sense of well-being for
their patients.
Dentistry has changed significantly over the last 25 years. The digital radiography equipment and
intra-oral cameras used today, produce highly detailed images and x-rays, allowing dental
professionals to provide a more precise diagnosis for their patients. Additional treatment options,
such as dental implants, provide patients with longer-term solutions for replacement of missing
teeth and new age materials used for dental prosthetics and restorations offer increased longevity,
durability, and retention. Moreover, from a cosmetic standpoint, treatment options such as teeth
whitening, composite (white) fillings and porcelain veneers, are now available to patients
wanting to maintain an aesthetically pleasing smile. These advances in technology and treatment
techniques have enabled professionals to deliver a higher standard of care and a greater range of
treatment options for patients.

ROLE OF THE DENTAL ADMINISTRATOR
Predominantly dental practices in Canada are privately run. For this reason, it’s important to
know that success lies in the acknowledgment that business operations performed by
administrators are vital to the growth and prosperity of a dental practice. It is also important to
acknowledge that placing emphasis on patient comfort, delivering exceptional customer service
as well as maintaining the highest standard of care is crucial to the success of the practice and
involves the contribution of each and every staff member.
Dental clinics place importance on providing education, comfort, and exceptional customer
service to their patients, all of which are aspects that involve the attention of the administrative
team. Additional to client relations, the administrative team is crucial to the success of all
business operations within the clinic. Administrative roles cover a broad spectrum of duties from
reception and customer service to practice management and marketing.

A well-trained entry-level administrator will be proficient in, and have an
understanding of the following areas:
• Business ethics and legal • Insurance billing procedures and
considerations treatment codes
• Infection control techniques • Treatment planning and case
• Dental terminology and anatomy presentation
• Tooth numbering, surface • Productive scheduling techniques
identification, and nomenclature • Management of business systems
• Preventive dentistry practices • Written and oral communication

• Clinical procedures performed in a skills
general practice • Dental software and computer skills
• Patient records management

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