Experienced Dental Assistant - 4-Day Week, No Weekends

Lucas Dental Care; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Next Smile/Dental Clinique in Melbourne is seeking a Dental Office Manager to coordinate day-to-day operations, ensuring a smooth patient flow and a compliant, patient‑focused experience.

You will lead reception and admin staff, manage scheduling and budgets, and work with leadership to monitor KPIs and growth, leveraging practice management software and CRM tools.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in healthcare settings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage budgets and KPIs.
• Experience with dental practice management software.

Responsibilities

• Lead reception, administrative and clinical support teams.
• Oversee appointment scheduling and theatre efficiency.
• Manage patient payments, accounts receivable and payment plans.
• Support accreditation and compliance processes.
• Drive marketing initiatives and community engagement.
• Foster a culture of accountability and professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Budget management

Dental software

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Business or healthcare administration qualifications

Tools

HubSpot

Dental practice management software

Job description

Job Description

The Dental Office Manager is responsible for the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of the dental practice. Acting as the key link between patients, clinical staff, and the wider business, the Office Manager ensures exceptional patient experiences, operational efficiency, and compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards.

This role requires strong leadership, organisational skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The Office Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the clinical team, driving practice growth, and fostering a positive, collaborative culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure every patient receives exceptional, compassionate care from first contact through to treatment completion.
• Manage patient feedback and complaints with professionalism and empathy, implementing solutions to improve service delivery.
• Oversee patient communication systems, including appointment reminders, follow-ups, and educational materials.
• Lead, mentor, and support reception, administrative, and clinical support teams to achieve practice goals.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews for non-clinical staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous professional development.
• Oversee appointment scheduling, chair utilisation, and theatre efficiency to maximise productivity.
• Manage patient payment systems, accounts receivable, and support payment plan arrangements.
• Work with senior management to monitor budgets, track KPIs, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Ensure the practice meets revenue targets through efficient scheduling and optimal use of resources.

Compliance & Accreditation

• Ensure the practice complies with all relevant health and safety standards, including infection control, sterilisation, and radiology protocols.
• Maintain accurate staff immunisation and compliance records in line with accreditation standards.
• Support day hospital licensing and accreditation processes as required.

Marketing & Business Development

• Support local marketing initiatives, patient reactivation campaigns, and community engagement activities.
• Assist in building relationships with referring dentists, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with leadership to implement practice growth strategies.

Skills & Attributes

• Proven leadership and management experience, ideally within healthcare or dental.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and influence.
• High attention to detail, with excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Financial acumen and experience managing budgets and business KPIs.
• Tech‑savvy with experience using dental practice management software, CRM systems (e.g. HubSpot), and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Resilient, adaptable, and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Previous management or senior administrative experience in a dental or healthcare setting (essential).
• Business or healthcare administration qualifications (desirable).
• Current knowledge of infection control, accreditation, and healthcare compliance standards (desirable but can be trained).

Why Join Us?

At Next Smile/Dental Clinique, we pride ourselves on transforming lives through world-class dentistry. As the Dental Office Manager, you’ll play a central role in leading a dedicated team, shaping patient experiences, and driving the ongoing success of our clinic.