Dental Operations Coordinator

NATIVE HEALTH•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Dental Operations Coordinator oversees and supports front- and back-office operations across NATIVE HEALTH’s Dental department, helping ensure efficient clinical flow, excellent customer service, and compliance with organizational standards. The position functions up to 60% as a dental assistant and up to 40% in an administrative capacity. Under the direction of the Dental Director, the coordinator implements operational directives from the Dental Director and NATIVE HEALTH Senior Leadership and helps dental clinics and outreach programs meet established goals and objectives. The coordinator supervises dental support staff, including front desk leads and dental assistants at all locations. Duties include recruitment, onboarding, staff development, scheduling, performance reviews, corrective action, and arranging coverage. The role also supports department policies, credentialing, staff meetings, budgeting, inventory, billing processes, reporting, performance tracking, and collaboration with other organizational divisions. The position supports quality assurance and infection control, including audits, training, documentation, equipment oversight, emergency-protocol training, and preparedness for regulatory reviews. It also helps maintain compliance with HIPAA, HRSA, and IHS requirements and provides organizational support as needed.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, or a related field.
Dental Assistant Certification from an accredited college or training institution.
At least three years of chairside dental assisting experience.
Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification and radiology certification as required by Arizona state dental laws.
Previous administrative or clinical experience in a community health center dental practice.
At least two years of experience as a supervisor or manager in a dental practice.
Working knowledge of dental clinic operations, supplies, equipment, and services.
Knowledge of dental clinical regulations and standards, and ability to maintain infection-control, quality, and safety standards.
Ability to develop and maintain record-keeping systems and organize, prioritize, and schedule staff work assignments.
Thorough understanding of dental clinic operations, including front desk scheduling, insurance interaction, prior authorizations, eligibility determinations, and point-of-service collections.
Familiarity with electronic dental health records.
Ability to foster a positive, team-oriented environment and provide customer service while handling difficult situations.
Practical verbal and written communication skills; cultural competence in working with a diverse workforce and client population.
Professional integrity, excellent work ethic, strong organization and time-management skills, and ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to protect confidential information and work independently, taking initiative to address concerns and issues.
Proficiency with computer-based applications, including MS Office, Adobe, registries and medical databases, practice management software, electronic health records, and financial applications.
Valid and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license, obtained within 30 days of hire for out-of-state applicants; must meet the stated driving-record requirements and be insurable under NATIVE HEALTH’s liability auto policy.
Pass a criminal background check and obtain and maintain a valid Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card within the first 90 calendar days of employment.
Pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
Provide an updated immunization record upon employment.
Provide a current TB skin report upon employment and an annual update.
Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 calendar days of employment and maintain certification.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory or management experience in a community health center setting.
Experience with AthenaOne electronic health record (EHR).

Responsibilities

Promote excellent customer service for visitors, patients, clients, and staff in person and by phone.
Supervise, lead, and guide dental support staff, including front desk leads and dental assistants at all locations.
Manage recruitment, onboarding, orientation, schedules, leave requests, timesheet review, performance reviews, staff development, and corrective action for support staff.
Coordinate staffing coverage across front and back offices and clinics, and provide dental assisting coverage as needed.
Assist the Dental Director with implementing department policies, procedures, cultural initiatives, goals, projects, and assignments.
Train dental personnel on departmental policies and procedures, monitor compliance, and arrange retraining as needed.
Coordinate credentialing for newly hired support staff and maintain provider credentialing records.
Assist with dental staff meetings, progress monitoring toward departmental goals, and the management and documentation of patient complaints and incidents.
Support development of the annual dental department budget and direct supply and inventory controls while tracking spending against the approved budget.
Coordinate billing-related office processes to support accurate and timely submission of clinical encounters.
Ensure equipment is operational and oversee maintenance, repairs, and related documentation.
Lead preparation of reports, program materials, and other documentation; gather and interpret statistics on program goals and outcomes; identify and address site performance gaps.
Collaborate with Medical, Behavioral Health, and other divisions to support integrated patient health.
Assist with the Quality Assurance program, including timely QA audits and maintenance of QA records.
Monitor infection-control procedures, data collection, logs, and documentation; assign initial and annual infection-control training.
Coordinate annual training on medical emergency protocols.
Maintain dental department preparedness for regulatory inspections and surveys, including AAAHC and Arizona Department of Health Services reviews.
Maintain HIPAA, HRSA, and IHS program requirements.
Support the organization as needed.