Considering a career change? Thinking about a position in medicine, administration, or even data entry? You may want to look at dental coding and billing. Need some convincing? We’ve got 10 reasons why the American Dental Coders Association career training classes deserves serious consideration.
#1 Working in the dental field is highly rewarding
How many people directly help others every single day? One of the greatest benefits of starting a career in the healthcare industry is the sense of satisfaction you’ll have when you go home. Dental billing specialists are vital to keeping costs down, reducing medical mistakes and generally ensuring that patients’ medical histories are organized and correctly recorded.
2. You’ll Be in the Middle of a Fast-Paced Industry
Within the wider healthcare industry, dental records maintenance is experiencing some of the biggest changes. Much of this has to do with this sector encouraging better use of electronic health records (EHRs).
Not only does this improve the way patient medical records are shared and used, but it also significantly cuts costs and improves outcomes. Dental billing and coding specialists are at the core of these vital reforms.
3. You Don’t Need to Go to Medical School
For people dreaming of working in medicine, the biggest deterrent is the average cost of education. Between the tuition of a four-year bachelor’s degree, four more years of medical school, medical residency, and further specialized training, it’s enough to scare almost anyone off.
For anyone considering a mid-career change, the necessary time and money are simply out of the question.
Luckily – becoming a Certified Dental Billing Specialist doesn’t require a medical degree making this a practical way to start in an entry-level position in any Dental office or billing company.
4. You’ll Have Your Pick of Locations
When people think about changing careers, they’re most often concerned about whether they can find employment. If you’re too specialized, there may only be one or two companies in your area that can hire you.
In this profession, you’ll have the potential to work in Dental offices, clinics, billing agencies, administrative support centers, and even dental laboratories. With such a wide variety of organizations requiring experts, you can look forward to a dynamic job market with plenty of options.
5. You Can Start a New Career in Just a Few Months
People considering a mid-career change probably don’t have four years to dedicate to obtaining a degree. In fact, our dental billing and coding programs can be completed in less then 8 weeks.
6. You Can Dress Comfortably at Work
People who enjoy wearing expensive suits, ties, heels, and other formal wear every day are generally few and far between. Those clothes are uncomfortable and often unforgiving during the summer months. Working in dentistry is a great alternative if you favor simplicity.
Some dental billing specialists are even required to wear scrubs. They’re designed for comfort – and can certainly be stylish.
7. Dental Coding and Billing Jobs Are Plentiful
After dedicating time and money to training and certification, a job needs to be waiting for you. You can count on plenty of good news. In fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that demand for dental billing and coding specialists to rise by 10% from 2020 to 2028 – that’s “much faster than average”. That translates into a lot of new hiring for dental billing and coding specialists.
By comparison, the average job market for US workers is expected to increase by only 7% during the same period.
8.Help Patients Without Working With Them
Okay, let’s face it: Dealing with customers (or patients) isn’t always the most enjoyable part of any job. If you’re the kind of person who would love to help people – without working directly with them – then dental billing and coding might be right for you.
Workers in this healthcare sector generally work in the background by handling patient records and ensuring that treatment and diagnosis codes are entered properly. Introverts are welcome in most of these positions, and will be happy to learn that many teams hire remote workers!
9. Lots of Shift Flexibility
Are you a night owl or a morning person? Are you the kind of person who likes to work whenever you’re able? Many institutions – like practices – offering dental coding and billing jobs operate 24/7, so there’s always a demand for a variety of schedules. If you’re not a 9-5 kind of person, you can probably switch to a 2nd or rotating shift instead.
10. Earn a Great Dental Coding Salary
As of 2020, the average US dental billing and coding salary was more than $40,000 – which is higher than the average American income. These numbers can fluctuate, depending on the location, type of employer and the amount of experience you already have.
Learn How to Become a Certified Dental Biller & Coder
No matter where you are you can get your education and certifications 100% online at the American Dental Coders Association. It’s never too late to change your career!
