Dental Secretary Onboarding Checklist

Dental Secretary Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Dental Secretary starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Administration onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Dental Secretary, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Dental Secretary onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Dental Secretary Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the company: The dental secretary should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated supervisor.

2. Familiarization with office policies and procedures: The dental secretary should be given a detailed overview of the office policies and procedures, including appointment scheduling, patient registration, insurance billing, and record-keeping. This task is usually performed by the office manager or a senior dental secretary.

3. Training on dental software and equipment: The dental secretary should receive training on the specific dental software and equipment used in the office, such as practice management software, digital imaging systems, and electronic health records. This training is typically conducted by the office manager or a designated IT specialist.

4. Introduction to the dental team: The dental secretary should be introduced to the entire dental team, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other administrative staff. This task is usually performed by the office manager or a senior dental secretary.

5. Understanding patient communication and confidentiality: The dental secretary should be educated on effective patient communication techniques, including phone etiquette, appointment reminders, and handling patient inquiries. Additionally, they should be trained on maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA regulations. This training is typically provided by the office manager or a senior dental secretary.

6. Learning insurance billing and claims processing: The dental secretary should receive comprehensive training on insurance billing and claims processing, including verifying patient insurance coverage, submitting claims, and following up on outstanding payments. This training is usually conducted by the office manager or a designated billing specialist.

7. Understanding dental terminology and procedures: The dental secretary should be familiarized with common dental terminology and procedures to effectively communicate with patients and dental professionals. This task can be performed by the office manager, dentists, or dental hygienists.

8. Learning appointment scheduling and management: The dental secretary should be trained on efficient appointment scheduling and management techniques, including optimizing the appointment book, coordinating with dental providers, and handling rescheduling or cancellations. This training is typically provided by the office manager or a senior dental secretary.

9. Familiarization with emergency protocols: The dental secretary should be educated on emergency protocols and procedures, including how to handle dental emergencies, medical emergencies, and evacuation plans. This training is usually conducted by the office manager or a designated safety officer.

10. Introduction to office systems and supplies: The dental secretary should be introduced to the office systems and supplies, such as inventory management, ordering dental supplies, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. This task is typically performed by the office manager or a designated supply coordinator.

11. Understanding financial transactions and patient billing: The dental secretary should receive training on financial transactions, including processing payments, managing patient accounts, and providing accurate billing information. This training is usually conducted by the office manager or a designated financial coordinator.

12. Learning about continuing education opportunities: The dental secretary should be informed about continuing education opportunities available to enhance their skills and knowledge in the dental field. This task can be performed by the office manager or a designated training coordinator.

13. Introduction to office culture and team-building activities: The dental secretary should be introduced to the office culture and participate in team-building activities to foster a positive work environment and promote collaboration among the dental team. This task is typically organized by the office manager or a designated team-building coordinator.

14. Reviewing safety and infection control protocols: The dental secretary should undergo training on safety and infection control protocols, including proper hand hygiene, sterilization techniques, and personal protective equipment usage. This training is usually conducted by the office manager or a designated infection control officer.

15. Performance evaluation and goal-setting: The dental secretary should have a performance evaluation meeting with their supervisor to discuss their progress, set goals, and identify areas for improvement. This task is typically performed by the office manager or a designated supervisor

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Dental Secretary checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Dental Secretary up to speed and working well in your Administration team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.