Dental Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY:

The Dental Program Manager is responsible for the day to day operation and performance of the dental department. The position supervises dental support staff, manages the dental schedule to full utilization, and is accountable for visit volume and departmental revenue. The Dental Program Manager works with marketing, site leadership, and revenue cycle to grow dental service utilization among existing patients and in the community, and ensures the department operates in compliance with all applicable regulatory and program requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supervises dental support staff, including dental assistants, registered dental assistants, and dental front office staff. Manages scheduling, timekeeping, performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action in coordination with Human Resources.
2. Manages the dental schedule template and daily slot utilization across all dental operatories and sites. Monitors open slots, no-shows, and cancellations, and fills open time through confirmation, recall, and waitlist workflows.
3. Accountable for dental department productivity and revenue performance, including visit volume, encounters per provider day, treatment plan acceptance and completion, and case mix. Reports results to leadership on an established cadence.
4. Partners with Marketing and Communications and with site leadership to promote dental services to the existing patient base and the community, and drives internal referrals from medical and behavioral health into dental.
5. Oversees patient recall, treatment plan follow up, and reactivation of inactive dental patients to sustain visit volume.
6. Optimizes department workflow, including patient flow, operatory turnover, instrument processing turnaround, and support staff to provider ratios.
7. Ensures accurate charge capture, coding, and documentation in coordination with Billing and Revenue Cycle. Monitors dental claim denials and rejections and resolves recurring root causes.
8. Manages dental supplies, instruments, and equipment, including inventory, ordering within budget, vendor relationships, preventive maintenance, and repairs.
9. Maintains department compliance with Dental Board of California, infection control, radiation safety, OSHA, and HRSA requirements, and tracks staff licensure and certification in coordination with Risk and Compliance.
10. Supports dental quality measures and UDS reporting, including sealant and fluoride varnish measures, and participates in quality improvement activities.
11. Participates in developing the dental department budget and monitors performance against it.
12. Coordinates dental staffing coverage across sites and participates in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of dental staff.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate’s degree in healthcare related discipline. Undergraduate degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Health, Medicine or an equivalent combination of education and 5+ years of experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in dental practice management with FQHCs, dental school or other healthcare facilities.
• Prior experience with Patient Centered Medical Home model of care delivery preferred.
• At least 2 years of proven experience managing teams.
• EPIC Electronic Health Records experience or comparable preferred.
• Strong knowledge of dental terminology, insurance processes (PPO, HMO, Medicaid if applicable), and practice management software.
• Experience facilitating optimal clinical workflow processes, revenue cycle management and medical billing and coding.
• Working knowledge of spoken Spanish preferred.
• Ability to effectively assist and manage administrative and compliance tasks related to dental.

PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical, environmental, and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to operate office equipment, and communicate verbally and in writing. Frequent use of hands for writing, typing, and operating equipment is required. The role requires frequent use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment for extended periods of time. Occasional reaching, bending, stooping, or carrying office materials may be required. The employee may occasionally lift, move, pull, or push items up to 25 pounds and navigate between office and health center locations.
• Sensory: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to read and review printed and electronic materials, including reports, spreadsheets, invoices, and medical records. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through virtual platforms in environments with moderate background noise. The role requires sufficient visual acuity to work on a computer for extended periods and accurately review and interpret detailed reports.
• Cognitive: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to maintain attention to detail, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions. The employee must be able to analyze information, solve problems, interpret data, apply sound judgment, and meet established deadlines. Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills are essential to support accurate financial reporting and accounting operations. Emotional intelligence is essential for building trust, managing sensitive discussions, and maintaining professionalism. The role requires adaptability to evolving clinical guidelines and needs, and unforeseen emergencies while ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care.
• Environmental: Frequent exposure to office and mixed office/health center environments. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate. Occasional interruptions and interactions with staff, vendors, patients, and visitors are expected as part of normal business operations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require travel between sites for business purposes. Employees must be able to fulfill this travel requirement if needed.
• A personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes.