Dental Front Office Receptionist

Empower Dental Group•Burbank, CA

About The Position

The Dental Office Receptionist oversees appointment scheduling, manages patient communications, verifies insurance, collects payments, and supports clinical staff by maintaining an optimized daily schedule. This position is vital to patient satisfaction and the overall productivity of the practice. The receptionist is the face of the office—answering phones, greeting patients, updating records, and being the first and last point of contact during each visit.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent required
2+ years of experience working at a dental front desk
Knowledge and experience with dental treatment plans, PPO & Medical insurance requirements
Strong background in customer service
Insurance verification (full PPO breakdown and ability to give accurate insurance estimates, medical authorizations & preauthorizations)
Ability to multitask front office duties including answering phones, scheduling, check-in/out, and verification
Strong communication skills to present and explain treatment plans and financial options to patients
Experience with Dental Software (Open Dental and Practice by Numbers)
Working knowledge of dental procedures and terminology
Bilingual (Either Spanish/Armenian)

Responsibilities

Greet all patients warmly and professionally; update patient information and insurance data as needed
Answer all incoming calls as the first responder; direct calls or take accurate messages as appropriate
Register new patients, explain office policies, and provide necessary forms (welcome letter, information sheets, etc.)
Schedule, confirm, and follow up on all patient appointments; maintain productive and efficient schedules for doctors and hygienists
Review and prepare patient records for daily appointments, including noting outstanding treatment needs
Ensure lab cases are received before scheduled appointments
Check voicemails before the morning huddle; update the team on changes
Monitor and manage the daily schedule to reduce gaps or delays in patient flow
Maintain a short-call list and fill last-minute cancellations promptly
Call any patients who are late and inform clinical staff accordingly
Determine and communicate any continuing care needs before patients leave
Note chronic cancellations or no-shows in patient records to aid in future scheduling decisions
Present treatment plans to patients and make financial arrangements when needed
Confirm patient appointments 48 hours in advance via phone, text, or email
Check patient balances and collect co-pays and fees at time of service
Verify insurance benefits for all new patients and update existing patients’ insurance records
Text or email welcome packages to all new patients before their first visit
Keep patients informed about delays or waiting times
Maintain a clean and organized reception and file area
Comply with all HIPAA, OSHA, and infection control standards
Support community outreach efforts, such as local events, sponsorships, or health fairs
Track marketing responses from campaigns and report results to management
Post or coordinate social media updates in line with office guidelines
The absence of specific duties in this description does not exclude them from the role if they are similar, related, or logically associated with the position. Additional responsibilities may be assigned or requested by management or executive leadership as needed.