Office Roles – Who Am I Talking To
Exploring the Responsibilities of Our Dental Staff
At Cedar Grove Dental Group in Cedar Grove and the surrounding area, our dental office is staffed with a variety of team members who work together to provide quality patient care. From dental providers to administrative workers and billing personnel, our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and positive experience for our patients. Whether you're scheduling an appointment or receiving treatment, our goal is to make your visit as seamless as possible. Contact us at (973) 857-0567 to learn more about our staff and services.
Primary Care Staff
At the dental office, the primary care staff members patients are most familiar with are the dentists and dental hygienists. These professionals provide care by examining patients, taking X-rays, cleaning teeth, filling cavities, and more. Dentists have received extensive training to diagnose and treat oral conditions, while dental hygienists have also undergone years of preparation for their roles. Both professionals have completed clinical training experiences as part of their preparation and must meet strict licensing requirements to treat patients.
“Both dentists and dental hygienists also must meet strict licensing requirements in order to treat patients.”
Back-Office Staff
In a dental office, key employees in the back include dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians. Dental assistants work with primary care staff to provide patient care and also assist back-office staff with various tasks related to the dental lab. Dental lab technicians, on the other hand, focus on restoring dental appliances, constructing bridges and dentures, fabricating crowns, and assembling orthodontics in the dental lab. They do not typically work directly with patients and some may earn certifications to showcase their dedication to producing high-quality lab work.
“The back-office staff team mainly consists of dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians.”
Administrative Staff
Patients often have regular interactions with the administrative team at the dental office. A large practice may have a sizable team of office workers who handle administrative tasks. These staff members do not provide treatment or care to patients, but instead focus on scheduling appointments, communicating with patients, and handling insurance paperwork.
- Receptionist: Dental receptionists primarily focus on communication, answering phones, taking messages, greeting patients, and directing them to fill out paperwork.
- Administrative Assistant: Administrative assistants in dental offices handle communication and office tasks for specific providers, including organizing patient files and data entry.
- Office Manager: Office managers supervise the administrative staff and tasks for the entire dental practice, including recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.
“Administrative staff members for a dental office do not participate in the treatment or care patients get.”
Treatment Coordinator
Patients may come across a dental office treatment coordinator who assists them in understanding and planning for extensive dental care, including procedures like crowns, dentures, dental implants, or bridges. These coordinators help schedule appointments, provide cost estimates, and collaborate with the provider to determine the best treatment plan for each patient.
“This position works with patients to give an overview for extensive dental care, such as crowns, dentures, dental implants, or bridges.”
Billing Specialist
In a dental office, patients can also interact with a billing specialist. This team member handles billing issues for dental procedures and is available to discuss treatment options and payment plans with patients. Billing specialists are in charge of processing payments, submitting paperwork to insurance companies, and contacting patients with overdue balances. Additionally, they assist in pricing out treatment plans for extensive dental work.
