Dental front office administration is written to encompass the study of dental administrative and billing procedures from the time a patient walks into the office to the moment they walk out, as well as the final billing and reconciliation of the patient’s account.  The straightforward easy-to-understand writing style from ICDC authors presents information clearly and concisely. Patient names, exercises, and examples in this training material have been designed to incorporate a light-hearted humorous context, found to improve the ability to comprehend and retain information.

Table of Contents

SECTION I. - DENTAL PRACTICE ADMINISTRATION

Chapter 1 – Introduction to the Dental Front Office Administrator

Duties of the Dental Front Office Administrator Technology and the Dental Administrator 

Professional Appearance Business Casual Inappropriate Clothing Dress Code Regulations 

Professional Attitudes and Actions 

Interpersonal Skills 

Pre-Vacation Work Planning Promotions Promotable Attitudes 

On The Job Now (Special Feature) 

Chapter 2 – Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues and Responsibilities

Role of the American Dental Association 

HIPAA Practice Pitfall (Special Feature)

Forms of Fraud 

Practice Pitfall (Special Feature) 

Bad Faith Awards

Practice Pitfall (Special Feature)

Chapter 3 – The Dental Office Team and Patient Relations

The Role of the Dentist 

The Role of the Dental Hygienist The Role of the Chairside Dental Assistant 

Chapter 4 – Technology and the Dental Office

SECTION II. - GENERAL OFFICE PROCEDURES  

Chapter 5 – Basic Administrative Functions and Printed Communication

SECTION III. - MANAGING THE DENTAL FRONT OFFICE

Chapter 6 – Dental Front Office Management

Chapter 7 – Dental Terminology and Anatomy of the Oral Cavity

Chapter 8 –Dental Chart Documentation

Chapter 9 – Dental Office Forms

ASA Physical Status Classification System 

Chapter 10 – Clinical Records Management

SECTION IV. - DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS, CODING, AND BILLING

Chapter 11 – Dental Reference Books and Insurance Contract Interpretation

Alternative Benefit Plans 

Insurance Carrier Directories 

Chapter 12 – Dental Services and Coding

Chapter 13 – Dental Billing and the Dental Claim Form

SECTION V. - FINANCES AND ACCOUNTING

Chapter 14 – Dental Practice Accounts Receivable

Chapter 15 – Accounts Payable and Financial Records Management

Quarterly Returns 

SECTION VI. - SECURING EMPLOYMENT

Chapter 16 – Employment Skills and Job Search Strategies

SECTION VII. - GLOSSARY AND APPENDICES

Glossary

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C