Dental Assistant

Dental assistants provide hands-on help for the dental practitioner. The dental assistant performs preparatory work such as sterilizing equipment, preparing and developing X-rays, and taking impressions/molds of patients' teeth. Additionally, they guide the patients through their procedures and instruct patients on oral care. More advanced duties may include topical anesthetic, sealant applications, and fluoride applications.

Dental Assisting Programs

• Bates Technical College - Tacoma
• Bellingham Technical College
• Clover Park Technical College - Tacoma
• Renton Technical College
• Seattle Central College
• South Puget Sound Community College - Olympia
• Spokane Community College
• Washington AGD Dental Assistant School
• Yakima Valley Community College

Hygienist

A dental hygienist's work duties include performing dental cleanings, examining patients for signs of oral diseases (cancer screenings and gingivitis), and providing preventative dental care under the supervision of a dentist. They educate patients on ways to improve oral health.

Dental Hygiene Programs

• Bellingham Technical College
• Clark College - Vancouver
• Columbia Basin College - Pasco
• Eastern Washington University - Spokane
• Lake Washington Institute of Technology - Kirkland
• Pierce College - Tacoma
• PIMA Medical Institute - Seattle
• Seattle Central College
• Shoreline Dental Hygiene Program in partnership with the University of Washington
• Yakima Valley Community College

Scheduling Coordinator

The Scheduling Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all aspects of patient services, including maintaining patient records, coordinating the flow of the patients seen throughout the day, confirming appointments in the upcoming days, and scheduling out future appointments with patients as needed. This position can also oversee the general administrative tasks of the office.

Medical/Dental Office Administration Programs

• South Seattle College

Financial Coordinator

The Financial Coordinator helps communicate with patients regarding their treatment plan and identifies the best ways to finance the recommended treatment(s). This can involve researching insurance benefits (depending on the patient’s carrier) and preparing estimates prior to discussions, collecting payments at the time of service, and billing the insurance carrier, and making appropriate payment plan arrangements with the patients, as agreed upon in these conversations. This position also may have to follow-up on delinquent accounts and run fiscal reports upon request to ensure the finances of the office are running smoothly.

Medical/Dental Coding and Billing Programs

• South Puget Sound Community College
• Shoreline Community College