DEA 707 - Dental Office Procedures

Credits: 2
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech

1. Summarize the role of a business office assistant in a business setting
   1. Understand the function and responsibilities of a business office assistant
   2. Identify the legal responsibilities and ethics of a business office assistant
   3. Explain the role/expectations of the business office assistant as it relates to other team members and patients
2.  Illustrate the importance of oral communication within the dental office
   1. Identify techniques used for effective oral communication
   2. Explain common barriers to communication
   3. List the differences between verbal and non-verbal communication
3. Model basic written communication skills
   1. Apply correct punctuation, spelling, numbers, and grammar in written work
   2. Incorporate appropriate dental and/or lay terminology in written work
4. Exhibit ability to write effective professional correspondence
   1. Identify the basic rules/format of writing a business letter
   2. Summarize methods, format and use of written communication in a dental office
   3. Produce written, professional correspondence
5. Demonstrates knowledge about patient development and maintenance systems
   1. Explain strategies of continuing care/recall systems and patient reminder systems
   2. Understand the role and types of marketing used by dental offices
6. Provide knowledge of appointment management techniques
   1. Apply basic concepts when scheduling a patient for an appointment
   2. Use common dental abbreviations and why they are used
   3. Identify different types of appointments that may be scheduled
7. Evaluate the dynamics of staff management in the dental setting
   1. Explain the purpose and describe the contents of an office policy/procedure manual
   2. Summarize common communication strategies used in a team setting
   3. Identify the purpose job descriptions
   4. Outline employee training, development, reviews, and guidelines for employment
8. Examine patient records
   1. Identify the parts of a patient record
   2. Explain the difference between active and inactive patient charts
   3. Describe the process for transferring patient information
9. Evaluate inventory control systems used in dental settings
   1. Identify different types of supplies and factors to consider when ordering
   2. Explain information found on an invoice and/or a financial statement
   3. List common inventory systems
10. Utilize basic concepts of dental insurance
    1. Apply dental terminology and ADA codes when completing a dental insurance form
    2. Understand the different types of dental insurance plans
11. Characterize accounts payable and accounts receivable in a dental office
    1. Apply key terms for both accounts payable and accounts receivable
    2. Describe categories for office expenses and bookkeeping in the dental office
12. Judge employment strategies
    1. Investigate employment opportunities in the dental profession
    2. Create a cover letter, resume and portfolio
13. Incorporate iDentalSoft in class assignments
    1. Create new family files, enter and/or change patient information
    2. Enter insurance information
    3. Schedule patient appointments, complete appointments and post charges 
    4. Create an insurance claim form
    5. Demonstrate proper use of medical alerts 

 
Competencies Revised Date: AY2025