Dental Practice Roles Defined Well
Dental Practice Roles Defined Well provide a structural setting for the day to day functions of the practice. Who does what? This is something every team member needs to know.
And although it may seem obvious, it truly isn’t!
Because without clearly defined roles within the dental practice, team members decide for themselves. With preconceived ideas and misunderstood notions of what their roles are.
Better to state the obvious than to suffer the loss of team turn-over and constant training. Which may be the core reason your team is struggling. Undefined dental practice roles.
The Role of The Dentist
I’m thinking it’s safe to say, you will not find your dentist answering your office phones. Much! Because we want our dentist doing the things that only they can do. And delegating all other tasks.
However, it is up to the dentist to define roles and responsibilities within their organization. And they just might need some help from the team. At least on some of the details of each task.
Dental Office Roles Defined Include “Dentist”
Here are some things the dentist can claim as their own. And remember, the idea is to have the dentist perform only those tasks no one else can do. But, they are the “machine”. And we need them!
- Oversees the business as a whole
- Sets the practice vision and mission statements
- Establish & refine all business systems as needed
- Monitor all practice numbers and trends
- Create team leadership and team roles
- Institute team training and support
- Provide superior patient care
- Oversee all patient care and documentation
- And so much more!
Practice Coordinator or Office Manager
I personally prefer the title “Practice Coordinator” over “Office Manager”. But in every dental practice I have worked, this position widely varied. Expectations, roles, and responsibilities were not clearly defined. And I had to ask lots of questions and find my boundaries.
It’s difficult for some dentists as business owners to release and assign tasks and responsibilities. However, that’s only because there are some elemental steps missing.
Defined Roles = Responsibility Distribution
Honestly, a dentist cannot successfully provide superior patient care and experience and manage a thriving business well. That’s why the dentist has a team. And that’s why there are tools to both train and track the team’s progress.
So, here’s a basic list of what a Practice Manager might be given for responsibilities. And you’ll see what I mean:
- Implements and monitors the systems put in place by the dentist
- Track vital practice numbers and trends to present to dentist monthly
- Teaching and training the team in accordance with practice vision and goals
- Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, ordering, and all monetary transactions with submission and approval of dentist.
- And so much more!
Assistants and Administrators
Next, define the individual roles and responsibilities for dental assistants and the administrative team. You may want to consider a lead dental assistant and then levels of assistant responsibility with different job titles.
With administrative roles and responsibilities, consider titles that include a Hygiene Coordinator, Treatment Coordinator, and Financial Coordinator. Even if one person assumes more than one job title.
