PROGRAM

Dental Office Administration

If you have a flair for organization and an interest in working in a healthcare environment, the Dental Office Administration program is for you. 

 

You will train in dental terminology, billing, scheduling, insurance protocols, and communication, with hands-on practice in dental software, patient chart management and more.

CREDENTIAL
Diploma
DURATION
43 Weeks
DELIVERY METHOD
On Campus, Combined, Online
Program available at the following campuses:

Program info

The Dental Office Administration program will empower you with an understanding of dental terminology, billing procedures, appointment management, insurance company protocols, and communication skills.

In addition to hands-on training in dental software, chart management, and other subjects, you will also earn external First Aid Level 1, CPR, and WHMIS certifications during this program. 

With a 100-hour-long practicum placement included, you'll have the chance to gain valuable real-world experience, designed to give you an advantage when launching your new career.

Practicum Prerequisites

  • Provide a negative criminal record check
  • Provide completed immunization report showing current immunization and free of communicable diseases
  • Students are required to complete a minimum 5-hour job shadow by the end of the first week of studies (form provided by the College). It is strongly recommended, that students make all attempts to complete this prior to the start of classes.

Certifications Received

  • Dental Office Administration Diploma
  • First Aid Level 1 Certification
  • CPR Training and Certification 
  • WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Training)

 

 

Accelerated Learning

Courses

Gain practical, career-focused training through courses designed to prepare you for real-world roles.

SSS4

Student Success Strategies

Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume and learn how to write effective cover letters.

MOT4

Microsoft Outlook

This course presents the MS Outlook application interface, tools, and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling, calendars, contact lists, creating, forwarding and managing messages. This course relies heavily upon hands-on practical activities that allow you to learn concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

MSW4

Microsoft Word

This course introduces the students to word processing with Microsoft Word. Relying heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing skills based simulations, training and assessments. Learners will focus on the core features of Microsoft Word such as proper document formatting, organization and editing using the tools and features of the ribbon. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as working with tables, lists, objects, templates footnotes and endnotes and mail merges. Students will explore the collaboration features that allow users to share and collaborate on documents through the use of track changes, sharing and reviewing.

MSE4

Microsoft Excel

Relying heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing skills based simulations, training and assessments in Microsoft Excel. The course starts with an overview of spreadsheets and how to use the common features and functions of Microsoft Excel. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Excel where students learn how to enter and format data and use the various functions and formulas to manage and manipulate data. The course continues with more advanced topics such as performing quantitative analysis with logical, lookup and various mathematical and financial functions. Depicting data visually is an important feature of Excel. Students will learn how to work with charts in Excel to produce a variety of different charts based on data housed in a spreadsheet. Finally, students will learn to handle large volumes of data with datasets and tables.

PSK4

Professional Skills

This course is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for dealing effectively with both customers and colleagues in the business world. Using a variety of instructional methods including role-plays, case studies, group exercises, simulated situations, and discussions, students learn and practice customer service and interpersonal skills necessary for success in today’s business environment.

MECX

Medical Emergency, First Aid, CPR and WHMIS [MECX]

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills that are required to recognize and prevent medical and dental emergencies within a pharmacy/medical/dental office.  It will prepare students to assist the physician /dentist/ pharmacist in administering immediate care for the client in the medical office environment.  Students also participate in CPR-first aid training. Lectures, reading assignments, and laboratory projects will provide a basic understanding of medical emergencies and the role of the office assistant in assisting with the administration of care used in the office.  This information permits the student to interpret and relay information and to communicate to the health care team and emergency workers.  Canadian law requires that any person exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace must be trained in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).  This course has been developed to meet and exceed the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.  WHMIS 2015 training includes the new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling for chemicals (GHS), as well as WHMIS legislation introduced in 1988.  Subjects include:

  • Typical medical emergencies
  • Roles of individuals in emergencies
  • CPR training and certification
  • First Aid Level 1 certification
  • WHMIS training 

 

KBFO

Keyboarding [KBFO]

This course gives the student an introduction to the fundamentals of keyboarding. This course will help the students reinforce their English language skills and develop their ability to key and compose information, develop the proper keyboarding techniques and skills, The gradual pace of this course will help the students develop both speed and accuracy while applying the proper keyboarding techniques and position. Students will also develop their proofreading techniques, and improve their word processing techniques in a windows environment.

HCC4

Health Care Communications [HCC4]

Learning basic communication skills especially relating to the medical field will assist the student in dealing with all patients. Understanding cultural differences and encouraging diversity can add a new dimension and safer patient healthcare delivery to the medical office.

MLA4

Medical Language I [MLA4]

Medicine, like other professions, has its own language. Students will learn to work with the specialized terminology of medicine, including the pronunciation and spelling of terms to describe medical circumstances and situations. Students will learn through descriptions, illustrations and exercises to identify the major anatomical features and systems of the body and the common pathologies, which can adversely affect these systems.

MLB4

Medical Language II [MLB4]

In the second level of the course, students will learn the medical language including: Urology – the urinary system; Endocrinology – the endocrine system; Neurology – the nervous system; Otolaryngology – the special senses – ear and eye; Gynecology and Obstetrics – the female reproductive systems; and Genitourinary – the male reproductive system.

AB-DSF101

Dental Sciences Foundations [AB-DSF101]

This course introduces the students to dentistry and the dental team. In this course, students will learn prefixes and suffixes used in the formation of medical and dental words while building a medical-dental vocabulary.  Students will learn detailed anatomy of the head and examine the normal development of the oral cavity and teeth. Topics include:

  • Tooth morphology 
  • General anatomy of the tooth and periodontium
  • Eruption schedules – primary and permanent
  • Types of occlusion
  • Anatomy of the head
  • Numbering systems
  • Preventive dentistry
  • Oral health 

AB-DR104

Dental Reception Procedures [AB-DR104]

This course presents complete and accurate coverage of the basic skills needed to perform effectively as a Dental Office Manager and will provide students with the knowledge and skills related to dental reception procedures. Topics will include the daily routines and tasks of an office, telephone, developing client communication skills and the basic steps in filing. Students will practise appointment management, and establish continuing-care systems.  This course will also teach students various formatting styles to written communication, inventory systems, and time management.  Other topics include becoming familiar with dental specialties and become acquainted with types of drugs commonly prescribed in a dental office. 

AB-DR114

Dental Insurance [AB-DR114]

Following dental reception and office procedures training, this course expands into an overview of dental insurance.  The course provides students with the knowledge and skills related to the use of provincial dental fee guides and claims terminology. Topics will include dental benefits and identifying parties affected by dental benefits.  This course will also teach students how to perform all tasks associated with preparing dental claim forms. This will include paper claim forms and predeterminations.  The course introduces the student to common dental benefits, benefit limitations, exclusions, coordination of benefits and determining order of liability. Other topics will include assignment of benefits, copayments, calculating copayments and explanation of benefits. 

AB-DR124

Charting and Records Management [AB-DR124]

Students begin this course with an introduction to ethics and protecting the privacy of dental clients.  This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to maintain patient records.  Topics will include patient registration, health history forms, records retention and records transfer. Students will learn symbols and abbreviations used in clinical charts and practice entering existing conditions and recording treatment procedures on a clinical chart. 

AB-DR134

Financial Systems [AB-DR134]

This course will teach students how to perform all tasks associated with basic office bookkeeping. Students will learn financial systems used in a dental office including accounts receivable and accounts payable. The course also covers establishing financial arrangements, payrolls basics, petty cash, debit and credit transactions, daily banking and bank reconciliation.  Other topics include marketing the dental practice. 

AB-DSM4

Dental Software Management [AB-DSM4]

Students are introduced to dental software packages commonly used in offices and facilities.  The software functions include patient registration, appointment booking, billing, reconciliations, and records management.  The course also describes the various reports used in dental office bookkeeping in a computerized system. Topics in this course also include:

  • Dental software applications
  • Setting up and adjusting appointments
  • Insurance billing/pre-determinations
  • Reconciliation of accounts at day-end; month- and yearend processing
  • Correcting billing errors
  • Office reporting: providers’ work; A/R; patient lists; labels 

CES4

Career and Employment Strategies [CES4]

This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

AB-DOA-PR

Practicum [AB-DOA-PR]

Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee in order to gain the valuable real world experience that so many employers seek.  Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory.

Requirements

To enrol in this program, all applicants must meet with an admissions representative in addition to meeting the following requirements:

Standard Admission

  • Alberta high school diploma or equivalent verified by transcript; and
  • Provide a CRC/Immunization disclaimer (form provided by the college).

Mature Admission

Students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years of age prior to admission (19 for out of province); 
  • Provide a CRC/Immunization disclaimer (form provided by the college); and
  • Successful completion of the Reeves College Admissions Test.

 

*Manitoba applicants must also have been out of school for one year in addition to the above

International Student Requirements

International applicants must meet the following English language proficiency requirements:​

 

  • Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA): 7 in each strand.​
  • TOEFL: Internet-based test score of 71 (overall) or Paper-based test score of 560.
  • IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0, with no band score below 5.0.​
  • CAEL: Score of 60.

 

Additional requirements include official transcripts, proof of financial support, a valid study permit, and other documentation as specified by the college.

Still have questions? Talk to an admissions expert.
CAREER

Real Graduates. Real Careers.

Dental Office Administration graduates working in 
	Dental Receptionists, 
	Dental Office Administrators, 
	Dental Distribution Specialists, 
	Dental Administration Specialists,
8/10 Graduates
Gain Employment

Reeves College alumni are building rewarding careers as Dental Receptionists, Dental Office Administrators, Dental Distribution Specialists, and Dental Administration Specialists.

Get Career-ready
Success Stories

Hear From Our Graduates

I learned lots of new things, met great people...it gave me more knowledge and experience to be successful out in the workforce.

Kayla T

Ready to Make a Difference?

Study Dental Office Administration to develop in-demand skills, open new opportunities, and launch your future.