Overview
Front Office Dental Coordinator
Position Summary
THIS IS A FULL TIME POSITION: MONDAY-FRIDAY
HOURS OF OPERATION: MON-THURS 9AM-6PM--- FRIDAY: 8AM-2PM & ONE SATURDAY OF THE MONTH.
DENTAL OFFICE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
ONLY candidates with prior dental office experience should apply. Applicants without dental office experience will not be considered.
The Front Office Dental Coordinator is responsible for providing exceptional patient service while managing the day-to-day administrative and front-office operations of the dental practice. This position requires strong knowledge of dental insurance, including PPO, HMO/DHMO, and Medi-Cal, as well as the ability to accurately verify eligibility, explain benefits, coordinate treatment, and assist patients with their financial and scheduling needs.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, professional, and knowledgeable about dental insurance processes and terminology. They should be comfortable communicating with patients, insurance companies, dental providers, and staff while ensuring a smooth and positive patient experience from check-in through check-out. The idela candidate should also be reliable and committed to the position.
Key Responsibilities
Insurance Verification & Eligibility
- Verify patient insurance eligibility and benefits two days prior to appointments.
- Accurately review and understand PPO, HMO/DHMO, and Medi-Cal dental insurance plans.
- Confirm coverage, deductibles, annual maximums, frequencies, waiting periods, limitations, exclusions, co-pays, and patient responsibilities.
- Understand and verify Medi-Cal dental benefits, covered services, authorization requirements, and applicable limitations.
- Contact insurance companies as needed to clarify benefits, eligibility, claims, and coverage.
- Accurately document insurance information and benefit details in the practice management system.
- Identify potential insurance issues before treatment to minimize billing problems and unexpected patient balances.
Patient Check-In & Check-Out
- Experience with Open Dental Software preferred but not required.
- Greet patients warmly and professionally upon arrival.
- Complete patient registration, demographic updates, insurance updates, and required forms.
- Verify identification and insurance information.
- Collect co-pays, deductibles, estimated patient portions, and outstanding balances.
- Schedule follow-up appointments and future treatment.
- Provide patients with receipts, treatment information, and necessary paperwork at checkout.
- Maintain an organized and welcoming front-office environment.
Phones & Patient Communication
- Answer multiple phone lines professionally and courteously.
- Schedule, confirm, reschedule, and cancel appointments.
- Respond to patient questions regarding appointments, insurance, treatment, and account balances.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with patients regarding financial responsibilities and insurance benefits.
- Route clinical questions appropriately to the dental provider or clinical team.
- Follow up with patients regarding unscheduled treatment and outstanding appointments.
Treatment Coordination
- Coordinate treatment plans between the dentist, clinical team, patients, and insurance companies.
- Review treatment plans and provide patients with clear explanations of recommended procedures and estimated insurance coverage.
- Present treatment costs and estimated patient portions in a professional and understandable manner.
- Assist patients with scheduling treatment and answering non-clinical questions regarding their treatment plan.
- Understand insurance coding, common dental procedures, and how treatment is typically processed through dental insurance.
- Follow up on diagnosed but unscheduled treatment.
- Work closely with the clinical team to ensure patients understand their treatment recommendations and financial options.
Administrative & Team Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate patient records and insurance information.
- Assist with pre-authorizations, predeterminations, and insurance-related follow-up as needed.
- Communicate effectively with dental insurance representatives.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and office policies.
- Work collaboratively with doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, and other front-office team members.
- Help maintain efficient patient flow and minimize scheduling gaps.
- Perform other front-office duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Expectations
- Previous experience in a dental front office, dental insurance, treatment coordination preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of PPO, HMO/DHMO, and Medi-Cal dental insurance is required.
- Must be comfortable independently verifying insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Must understand dental insurance terminology, limitations, exclusions, frequencies, deductibles, annual maximums, and patient financial responsibility.
- Knowledge of Medi-Cal dental benefits and requirements is strongly preferred and expected for this position.
- Excellent communication and customer-service skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to multitask in a busy dental office.
- Professional, friendly, and confident when communicating with patients.
- Ability to discuss treatment costs and insurance benefits clearly and comfortably.
- Experience with dental practice management software is preferred.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also managing responsibilities independently.
Join our team as a Front Office Coordinator to play a key role in creating a welcoming atmosphere while supporting the operational excellence of our organization. We value energetic individuals who thrive on delivering exceptional service and maintaining efficient office environments.
Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour
Experience:
- Dental receptionist: 1 year (Required)
Language:
- English and Spanish (Required)
Work Location: In person
