Dental Assistant

Want to Become a Dental Office Administrator? What You Should Know About Communication

April 19, 2019

If you’re a people-person who enjoys helping others and has a keen eye for detail, then starting a career as a dental office administrator can be an exciting and rewarding change.

Communication is an important part of our personal and professional lives, but like any other skill, it takes practice to master. For dental office administrators, communication is a vital tool that helps keep clients and the dental office on the same page, and helps make everything run smoothly. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to know the right and wrong way to communicate with others, especially in a professional environment.

If you’re interested in becoming a dental office administrator, read on to find out how you can use your communication skills to your career advantage.

Attention and Active Listening Is an Important Part of Effective Communication

Dental office administrators often act as the bridge between clients and their dental office, which includes taking and coordinating information among all involved parties. Poor service can give your office a bad reputation, which is why it’s important to show clients that you’re engaged and care about their concerns.

Communication is much more than talking—it also involves something known as active listening. Active listening means paying close attention to the conversation you’re taking part in. It helps you better understand the information that’s being communicated to you, and also helps you address and manage a problem a client might be having. Students in dental office administration courses will need to communicate with clients and fellow staff members to coordinate billing services and maintain their establishment’s medical database, so good listening skills will be very useful in your career.

Good listening skills are an important part of communicating with clients

Dental Office Administrators Know to Use Good Email and Phone Etiquette

While you may see many of your office’s clients in-person, some of your daily business may be conducted through other forms of communication such as by phone or email. You may commonly have to use email to communicate with clients or other businesses, and it’s important to remember that when you do, you are representing your dental office.

In order to make sure you put forth a professional image when you become a dental office administrator, use a formal tone to clearly and concisely share the information or message you need to send, and keep your audience in mind. Remember—you’re communicating with people who expect prompt, professional service.

Students at Medix can use their training to effectively communicate with clients

Dental office administrators are also frequently expected to make and receive calls that come into the office. These calls can be about a variety of different things, from scheduling appointments to managing health information, and providing billing services, but similarly to proper email etiquette you should always strive to keep a professional tone with whomever you happen to be speaking to. If you’re speaking with someone who’s frustrated by a problem, instead of raising your voice and speaking curtly, try to keep a level tone and be respectful as you work with them to find the right solution.

Do you want to earn your dental office administration diploma and start a new career?

Contact Medix College for more information about our courses.

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