Managing people is one of the most important responsibilities in any dental practice. From creating clear job expectations and hiring qualified team members to supporting employee development and handling performance concerns, effective human resource practices help create a productive workplace and a positive patient experience. 

In this course, you'll explore the key HR concepts that support successful dental practices. You'll learn how to establish employee policies, recruit and onboard new team members, develop fair compensation practices, support employee growth, and navigate employee separations professionally and consistently. Along the way, you'll also learn about important federal employment requirements and the role state-specific regulations play in managing a dental workforce. 

Whether you're a dentist, practice owner, office manager, or team leader, this course will provide a practical foundation for making informed HR decisions that support both your employees and your practice.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you'll be able to: 

• Explain the role of human resources in supporting a successful dental practice. 
  
• Identify key employment laws, regulations, and compliance considerations that affect dental employers. 
• Analyze staffing needs and create job descriptions that align with practice goals and workforce requirements. 
• Develop employee policies and handbook components that communicate workplace expectations and support consistency. 
• Apply effective recruitment, interviewing, and hiring practices to attract qualified candidates. 
• Implement onboarding, training, and performance management processes that support employee success and retention. 
• Explain compensation and benefit considerations that contribute to employee satisfaction and practice competitiveness. 
• Apply appropriate documentation, disciplinary, and separation procedures to help reduce employment-related risk. 

A well-managed accounts receivable process is essential to the financial health of every dental practice. From establishing clear financial policies and discussing treatment costs with patients to processing payments, monitoring accounts, and managing collections, each step plays an important role in maintaining healthy cash flow while supporting a positive patient experience. 

In this course, you'll explore the key concepts and best practices that guide patient financial management throughout the dental revenue cycle. You'll learn how to present payment options, develop financial agreements, accurately process and track payments, interpret accounts receivable reports, and communicate professionally with patients regarding outstanding balances. You'll also examine important legal and regulatory considerations, including patient privacy requirements and fair debt collection practices. 

Whether you're a dentist, office manager, financial coordinator, or administrative team member, this course will provide a practical foundation for managing patient accounts consistently, professionally, and effectively. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you'll be able to: 

• Explain the role of accounts receivable in supporting the financial success of a dental practice. 
  
• Differentiate between accounts receivable and accounts payable and describe how each contributes to practice operations. 
• Develop financial policies and patient financial agreements that establish clear payment expectations and promote consistency. 
• Communicate treatment costs and payment options effectively to help patients make informed financial decisions. 
• Apply appropriate payment methods, financing options, and billing procedures to support timely payment and accurate financial recordkeeping. 
• Interpret accounts receivable reports to monitor financial performance, identify overdue accounts, and support collection efforts. 
• Apply best practices for managing outstanding and delinquent patient accounts through professional communication, documentation, and follow-up. 
• Identify legal and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and the Truth in Lending Act, that affect patient billing and collection activities. 

Financial reporting provides the information dental practices need to monitor performance, make informed business decisions, and maintain accurate financial records. From recording daily transactions and reconciling accounts to analyzing production, collections, and key financial reports, every member of the dental team plays a role in supporting the practice's financial health. 

In this course, you'll explore the financial reporting processes commonly used in dental practices and learn how financial information is collected, reviewed, and used to guide decision-making. You'll examine daily, weekly, and monthly reporting activities, interpret common financial reports, identify trends and discrepancies, and understand how internal controls and accurate documentation contribute to sound financial management. 

Whether you're a dentist, practice owner, office manager, financial coordinator, or other dental team member, this course will provide a practical foundation for understanding financial reporting and using financial information to support an efficient, financially healthy dental practice. 

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you'll be able to: 

• Explain the purpose of financial reporting and its role in supporting the operational and financial success of a dental practice. 
• Describe the responsibilities of the dental team, practice owners, and financial professionals in maintaining accurate financial records and reports. 
• Apply best practices for recording financial transactions, including charges, payments, adjustments, and insurance-related activity. 
• Explain how internal controls, audit trails, reconciliation processes, and financial policies help promote accuracy, accountability, and compliance. 
• Interpret common financial reports, including production, collection, reconciliation, and summary reports, to monitor practice performance. 
• Analyze production, collections, scheduling, and patient activity to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement. 
• Explain the purpose of month-end financial reporting and evaluate key financial indicators used to assess the overall health of a dental practice. 
• Use financial reporting information to support informed decision-making, improve practice performance, and strengthen long-term financial management.