Summary
- Medical and dental office administrators keep clinics and hospitals running — reception, scheduling, records, billing and insurance.
- Edison College combines medical and dental office administration into a single dual certificate, so graduates can apply for roles in both medical centres and dental clinics.
- Job Bank recorded 84,300 people employed as medical administrative assistants in Canada in 2023.
- Canada’s growing and ageing population continues to drive demand for administrative staff across healthcare and dentistry.
What Do Medical and Dental Office Administrators Do?
The main duties of medical and dental office administrators include organising and smoothly running clinics and hospitals. They use their administrative skills from receiving patients through to guiding them to doctors or specific medical testing rooms.
They receive people who come to hospitals and clinics, take their basic details, and communicate with the relevant department so that patients get timely services.
Medical administrative assistants manage front-desk operations and schedule appointments around the availability of doctors and other specialised medical staff. Job Bank also lists this work under related titles including administrative assistant – medical, medical secretary and ward secretary.
Some of their other duties may include:
- Proficiency in insurance-related matters.
- Managing medical and dental insurance and claims.
- Making sure that patients feel comfortable sharing their data.
- Making sure that payable and receivable accounts are up to date.
Medical and dental office administrators typically work 35–40 hours a week, and pay varies by experience and province. We cover current wages by province in detail in our guide to medical and dental office administrator salaries in Canada.
Growing Job Opportunities for Medical and Dental Office Administrators
The Canadian population is not only growing but also ageing considerably faster. Overall, the healthcare industry in Canada is growing with each passing year, and demand for healthcare staff is growing with those demographic changes.
Dentistry is also a fast-growing field in Canada, with new clinics opening across the country. Those clinics need administrators, which adds to demand for the role.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, 84,300 people were employed as medical administrative assistants in Canada in 2023.
Edison College has combined two certificate programs into one. Graduates of Edison College’s Medical and Dental Office Administrator certificate program are eligible to work in both medical centres and dental clinics.
The benefit of a dual certificate is that it allows the graduate to apply for both medical and dental office administration positions, increasing work prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a medical and dental office administrator do?
They run the front office of a clinic: booking and managing patient appointments, greeting patients and answering calls, maintaining charts and health records, processing billing and insurance claims, and working with medical and dental office software.
Is a medical and dental office administrator the same as a dental assistant?
No. This is an administrative role. Clinical tasks such as taking X-rays or assisting chairside belong to dental assistants and other clinical staff, which is a separate occupation with different duties, training and pay.
Can I take the Medical and Dental Office Administrator Certificate online?
Yes. Edison College delivers the Medical and Dental Office Administrator Certificate fully online, so students across Canada can take it.
What other job titles is this role listed under?
Job Bank groups this work under medical administrative assistants, and lists related job titles including administrative assistant – medical, medical secretary and ward secretary. Employers also advertise it as medical office assistant or dental receptionist.
Conclusion
Medical and dental office administrators play a critical role in the operations of any medical facility. From receiving the patient through to the delivery of services, they remain the link between the clinic and the patient.
The healthcare industry is growing in Canada, and both roles are expected to stay in demand. If you have strong organisational and communication skills, it is a career worth considering.
Study the Medical and Dental Office Administrator Certificate at Edison College
Edison College’s dual certificate means that after graduation students can work in both medical and dental offices. All Medical and Dental Office Administrator courses are balanced across both areas.
The certificate also covers health care terminology, medical billing, bookkeeping procedures, medical and dental insurance, and introductory medical transcription, alongside communication strategies and computer applications.
If you have questions, you can contact us today to learn more about this program.
Read more industry-related blogs here.
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