Dentists and their Staff

Ever walk into the dentists office and wonder just who it is that you are interacting with? There are several different people that you come into contact with from the time that you call in to make the appointment to the time that you take care of the bill and walk out the door. Each person has a different role and this makes sure that everything goes smoothly while you are in the office.

Receptionist

This is the first person that you come into contact with at the dentists office. You probably talked to this person when you called to make an appointment and this is the person that you are going to see when you check in for an appointment. If you are a first time patient, she will have some forms for you to fill out and will need a copy of your insurance card if applicable.

Hygienist

The hygienist is the person that calls your name at the door and takes you back to the exam room. He may talk to you about what is being done at this visit to the dentists office and talk to you about some of your dental health habits. If you are having x-rays or cleanings, this can also be handled by a hygienist. These individuals are available to assist with any and all procedures.

Dental Professionals

Dentist are the cornerstone of a dental practice. This is the person that you are going to see if you are having any problems or concerns. He takes a look at the tooth (or teeth) and makes a diagnosis of what needs to be done to remedy it. There are several different specialists that can also be placed in this category. If you are looking to have braces put on, or other teeth alignment, you may be seeing an orthodontist. If you are having your wisdom teeth removed, you may be seeing an oral surgeon.

Billing Administrator

When everything is completed, you get ready to leave and need to stop by the desk to pay for the appointment. You may just have a copay. If you know that another procedure is coming up and it may be costly, talk to him about the options that you have for payment, including payment plans offered by the office. Find out if it all needs to be paid at once or if you can be billed over an extended amount of time.

Each one of these individuals makes up the staff of a dentists office. While your interaction with each on is different, each one cares about you and your oral health. Get to know these people because at the very least you should be seeing them twice a year for your regular cleanings. If at any point before an appointment or during, any of these staff members can help you. If they can't answer the question, they can at least find the right person for you to talk to.