Dental Receptionist

Welcome and check in patients, ensuring records are up to date. Process patient payments, issue receipts, and verify NHS exemption eligibility in line with practice procedures. Maintain patient records using Dentally and ensure compliance with GDPR, confidentiality, and practice policies. Assist patients with registration, medical history forms, and other required documentation. Book, amend, cancel, and arrange follow-up appointments. Manage appointment diaries effectively to maximise utilisation and minimise missed appointments. Respond to patient enquiries in person, by telephone, and electronically, providing excellent customer service. Receive and document patient calls, including urgent dental concerns, ensuring appropriate referral for clinical triage. Handle patient concerns and complaints professionally, explaining the practice complaints procedure and escalating issues where necessary. Provide a professional, empathetic, and patient-centred service, including support for patients with disabilities, additional needs, challenging behaviours, or language barriers, arranging interpreter services when required. Liaise with dentists, hygienists, nurses, managers, and external agencies.

Please note that this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Reception

Welcome

and check in patients on arrival, ensuring records are accurate and up to

date, process patient payments by cash, card, issuing receipts where

required.

Verify

patient eligibility for NHS exemptions and ensure supporting evidence is

recorded in accordance with practice procedures.

Maintain

strict confidentiality of patient information and comply with GDPR and

practice policies.

Assist

patients in completing medical history forms, patient registration forms, and

other required documentation, providing support where necessary.

Arrange

follow-up appointments and manage appointment bookings in line with clinical

instructions and service protocols.

Explain

the practice complaints procedure to patients and provide guidance on how to

lodge a complaint if required

Liaise

effectively with dentists, dental nurses, service managers, and external

agencies to support patient care and practice operations.

Provide

a professional, empathetic, and patient-focused service when dealing with

difficult, distressed, or special needs patients.

Respond

to patient enquiries in person, by telephone, and electronically, always

ensuring a high standard of customer service.

Support

the smooth day-to-day running of the reception area and maintain a welcoming

environment for patients and visitors.

Telephones

Accurately

enter, update, and maintain patient records using Dentally management software.

Receive

incoming patient calls, obtain and verify patient details, and document

reasons for contact.

Record

detailed information for urgent dental concerns and ensure cases are referred

appropriately for clinical triage.

Verify

and process patient exemption status and update records accordingly.

Book,

amend, and cancel appointments in line with practice protocols and clinician

instructions.

Manage

appointment diaries efficiently to maximise utilisation and minimise missed

appointments.

Maintain

strict confidentiality of patient information in accordance with GDPR and

practice policies.

Provide

a professional, empathetic, and patient-centred service always.

Communicate

effectively with patients, including those with additional needs,

disabilities, or challenging behaviours.

Arrange

interpreter services to facilitate effective communication with patients

whose first language is not English.

Handle

patient enquiries, concerns, and complaints professionally, escalating issues

where appropriate.

Liaise

with dentists, hygienists, nurses, and other members of the practice team to

ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Ensure

accurate completion of administrative tasks and maintain high standards of

record keeping.

Physical Effort

Frequent

sitting & standing. Inputting at a keyboard for most of day, frequent light

effort to lift, sort & file case notes.

May

have to occasionally move presentation equipment and office supplies or

clinic consumables.

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Experience

Skills & Ability

Qualifications

Knowledge