But without them, your dentist's office would not be the smooth, efficient workplace you see on every visit. It's those people, on the phones, booking appointments, and sending bills, who run the business end of the office.

And every dentist knows they could not get along without their dental office receptionist.

If you can see yourself behind the desk in a dental office, check out the Dental Office Receptionist certificate program offered by Continuing Studies at the University College of the Fraser Valley. By taking this 12-week course, you'll prepare yourself to work proficiently in a busy dental office.

"Basically, students will learn how to run the front desk of the dentist office," instructor Paddy Briggs says. "People think all you do is answer the phones and book appointments, but it's much, much more detailed than that."

Students will learn dental terminology, dental computer software, management of dental payment plans, and how to work with dental insurance forms, maintain appointment schedules, and prepare and maintain accurate financial records.

Briggs says prospective students must be able to type at least 30 words per minute and have some basic computer knowledge. Dentist offices, like most busy workplaces, are completely computerized these days.

"We deal with high-level dental software. It's a good program and very detailed," Briggs explains. "If a student can learn this program, then they can learn any other that a dental office might have. They would pick up the other program very quickly."

The computer program deals with patient billing, appointments, recalls, and other matters. Students will also learn how to handle accounts receivable.

"I teach them how important this is. This is the cash flow and without it, nobody, including you, is getting paid."

The full-time program starts in September and continues until next January. Students will attend class Monday to Thursday and the program concludes with a two-day clinical practicum and a 96-hour office practicum where Briggs says they "put every thing into practice."

Kathy Blane completed the Dental Office Receptionist program in January and, luckily, landed a job through her practicum. She had run a medical billing business from her home for several years, but found the work days solitary.

"I was looking for something different, something without shift work where I could work regular days," Blane recalls. "I saw a job advertised for a dental office receptionist and when I inquired, I learned I didn't have all the skills, but they told me to call UCFV because it has one of the best programs going."

At UCFV, Blane enjoyed the challenge and thrived during her practicum.

"We were doing all the stuff in the classroom and I had the basic knowledge, but suddenly this was real people and real phones ringing. I felt really well prepared for that practicum."

Former student Pauline Garrett had similar luck on her practicum, also landing a job once it was completed.

"I wanted to find something that was reasonably short," Garrett says, admitting she didn't have much money to spend on years of post-secondary education for a new career. "I started last September and now I have a great job."

While currently working 30 hours a week, Garrett says there's lots of opportunity where she's employed to eventually move into a management position.

Briggs says that's one of the best things about the program; that students evolve with the job and exciting career opportunities emerge.

"This is a great career and what I've seen is that students will start with a receptionist job, maybe stay with it for four or five years, and then move up eventually into office management," she says. "One of the reasons why I continue to teach this course is because it offers students a career rather than a job."

Briggs, who has taught the course for 10 years, not only teaches the ins and outs of running a dentist office, but also ensures participants get a helping hand with cover letters, job placements, interview skills, and resume writing. She's a certified job search instructor and works hard to ensure all her students find the career they're looking for.

Blane couldn't say enough good things about UCFV's Dental Office Receptionist program.

"It's a great course and I highly recommend it," she adds. "My new job is everything I thought it would be and much, much more."

To find out more about the UCFV Dental Office Receptionisit program, contact Laura Larson at 604-864-4626 or go to www.ucfv.ca/cs

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