Your Guide on How To Become a Successful Temporary Dental Receptionist

Do you have a warm, welcoming, cheerful personality? Do you enjoy working with people and working as part of a team? Being a front desk receptionist in a dental office may be a great career choice for you! If you’re unsure what to expect or wonder whether or not it’s a good fit for you, a temporary dental staffing agency like Kwikly offers the opportunity to find temporary dental receptionist jobs. That way, you can see if it’s a good fit before committing to a full-time position.

With Kwikly’s leading-edge, cloud-based app, you’ll be able to find offices looking for people just like you! Our support staff is here to help you every step of the way. Read on to see if a temp dental receptionist job might be just what you’re looking for. If it is, Kwikly will be there to guide you every step of the way as you embark on the journey to your new career.

What Are Dental Front Desk Receptionist Job Duties?

You might be wondering what a day in the life of a temporary dental receptionist looks like. It varies depending on the office you’re working in, but some duties are consistent across most offices in the USA. Some may be considered “office duties,” while others are regarded as “patient duties.”

Office-related Duties

As a temp dental receptionist, your job will include all things “front office.”

• Monitor the reception area—it should remain tidy and clean
• Keep pamphlets and brochures stocked
• Make sure that nobody leaves behind inappropriate reading material
• Monitor the patient’s bathroom—make sure it remains clean and tidy, has paper towels, toilet paper, soap, air freshener, and disposable cups, and that there is no trash on the counters or the floor
• Keep the front desk area clean and tidy
• File any paperwork or charts as soon as possible to keep clutter at bay
• Keep all patient information secure and away from curious onlookers

Patient-related Duties

While this is not an exhaustive list of front desk dental receptionist job duties directly related to patients, you will likely find them in a job description for the position:

• Greet patients warmly and with a smile, in person and on the phone—help them feel at ease
• Answer calls on multiple phone lines
• Have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with little oversight or direction
• Schedule/reschedule appointments; keep the schedule running smoothly and ensure that it is financially productive
• Maintain a “cancelation list”—patients to call when there is a cancelation who can come in on short notice
• Verify insurance coverage, complete and submit insurance preauthorizations and claims
• Monitor how long a patient has been waiting; keep them apprised if the dentist or hygienist is running behind
• Create and review treatment plans with patients, take payments, and make financial arrangements as needed
• Confirm appointments; reschedule in the event of cancelations
• Keep patient records up to date and secure according to HIPAA regulations

What Skills and Education Does a Temp Dental Receptionist Need?

A dental office receptionist position requires a wide variety of skills, most learned on the job. Some skills that should be on your resumé, whether it is for full-time or temp work, include:

• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Warm, cheerful, and friendly demeanor
• Exceptional organizational skills and multitasking abilities
• Ability to work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Be a team player; communicate well with team members
• Knowledge of dental insurance, including CDT and ICD-10 codes
• Experience using practice management software (e.g., EagleSoft, Dentrix, Practice by Numbers, etc.)
• Competency with Microsoft Office
• Stellar people skills and excellent customer service
• The fortitude to effectively handle difficult patients
• Ability to handle office or patient emergencies calmly and efficiently

Usually, the only educational requirement is a high school diploma or GED. You can, however, choose to attend seminars, conferences, or certification programs to further your knowledge.

Is There Room for Advancement as a Temporary Dental Receptionist?

You may have an opportunity to move into a dental office practice manager position after becoming proficient in the receptionist role. As an office manager, you would still do some of the same tasks at times but would add HR duties to your job description. Additional tasks involve interviewing potential employees, periodic employee evaluations, and hiring/firing when necessary. You would likely handle collections (past due accounts) and review/revision of denied dental claims or preauthorizations. You might also be entrusted with banking and AR/AP. You can learn more about dental office management through an online search.

What Salary and Benefits Can I Expect as Dental Receptionist?

Salary and benefits will vary significantly between practices and will depend upon:

• Years of experience
• Size of the practice
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the role
• The state—and even the city—in which you live

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has more in-depth information about dental office salaries and job growth.

Benefits can include:

• Health/vision/dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Retirement plans (401k, profit sharing/quarterly bonuses)

Working With a Temporary Dental Staffing Agency Like Kwikly

If you think you are well-suited for a position as a dental office receptionist, working with Kwikly as a temporary dental receptionist is a great place to start.

Kwikly provides security by offering W-2 employment status. We handle your insurance needs and all of the paperwork for taxes. We provide competitive pay, and you’re financially protected if a dental office unexpectedly cancels your shift.

If you’re ready to begin your dental front office receptionist career, join Kwikly today to get started! You will experience firsthand how rewarding temp work can be. You’ll have the advantage of using Kwikly’s innovative and intuitive app to find and schedule shifts that fit your needs. If you find that you’d rather have a full-time position, Kwikly can assist with that process, making your transition seamless.