An Overview of Dental Insurance

One of the duties of a dental administrative assistant is to process dental insurance claims and to communicate with patients to make sure that those claims are as accurate as possible. While dental insurance is a necessarily complicated procedure, it may often be necessary to explain the process to patients in as simple a manner as possible.

A Simplified Overview

Below is a basic overview of the three most common mechanisms of dental insurance that you might be called upon to explain to a patient

• Annual Maximums: An annual maximum is the total amount some dental insurance companies will per customer, per year. For example, if the maximum allowance a dental company allows one of its member is $1,000, and $500 of that amount has already been paid out by the insurance company, then the patient has a maximum of $500 dollars left to pay towards further procedures during that year. Any procedure than takes a patient over their annual maximum will not be funded by their dental insurance and may have to be paid for by other means or delayed until their yearly maximum resets.
• Deductibles: A deductible is an amount that a patient may be required to pay into their dental insurance account before any procedures can be covered by their insurance. Depending on the company, this deductible may be waived for emergency dental care or preventative services such as cleaning or dental x-rays.
• Percentages Paid: Preferred Provider Organization, or PPO, dental plans cover a percentage of each procedure or treatment, with how much of the procedure being covered dependant on the type of procedure.A common breakdown is that 100 percent of preventative and diagnostic procedures are covered, 80 percent of fillings and root canals, and 50 percent of major restorative procedures like crowns and inlays, although this may differ depending on the particular insurance company in question.

Learning the Basics

Employment for entry-level employment in the dental field is expected to increase 23% over the next 10 years, faster than average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this growing demand for DAA’s, it is essential that graduates cultivate the skills and traits that will help them stand out in the employment market.

Here at Northwest Career College, our Dental Administrative Assisting Program prepares students to work in any dental office. Our expansive, nine operatory lab provides students with a real-life dental office experience. You will be trained to handle clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, handling insurance claims, and monitoring inventory. You will work with documents, forms, and computer systems. No other Dental Administrative Assistant Program in Las Vegas offers this type of advanced training.

Our student-focussed approach will help you cultivate the skills you will need to stand out. Our experienced Career Services team will work with you to help you find the best dental administrative assistant employment opportunities in Las Vegas. Call one of our enrollment specialists at (702) 403-1592 to find out more.