Did you know that 66% of people visit the dentist every year? There are a lot of patients seeking dental care, and for this reason, there are always many openings in dental offices. Providing good care in a dental office is important, especially when patients are often hesitant to visit the dentist in the first place. When they are treated by friendly and knowledgeable staff, they are more likely to come back again for a regular visit. Here is a basic description of three positions you might be interested in filling in a dental office.
1. Dental Office Manager
The job of the dental office manager is to oversee most things relating to staff and schedule. They will supervise the patient scheduling coordinator, hire employees, control inventory expense, handle work schedules, take care of payroll, contact independent contractors, and help with other office tasks such as calling patients for scheduling new appointments. Official duties will vary office by office, but in general this is a role with a lot of responsibility and an emphasis on multitasking. There are Associate degrees and certification programs available for this position, and the average salary is about $40,000.
2. Dental Hygienist
One of the most common dental office jobs is the hygienist, who works alongside the dentist. These employees clean teeth, take x rays, provide preventative care, and check for oral problems. They also assist dentists in surgical procedures. Dental hygienists usually require an associate degree, and the average salary is about $60,000.
3. Dentist Assistant
These assistants often do similar work to dental hygienists, though they are typically less hands on. They will help prepare patients for procedures, process x days, keep records of treatments, schedule appointments, help process payments, and sterilize instruments. The average employee earns about $33,000 a year, and the necessary education varies by state. Some states require enrollment in accredited programs, while others have no such requirements.
