Medical and Dental Administration Programs


What is Medical Administration? What is Dental Administration?
Medical administrators manage the smooth running of the medical facility or department in which they work. Dental administrators do the same in dental practices. In general, medical and dental administrators plan, direct, and oversee the delivery of healthcare or dental care by managing the finances and budgets, record-keeping, reporting, personnel issues, and admissions policies and practices. Specific duties for medical and dental administration professionals depend upon the type and size of the facility in which they work. For example, a top administrator in a large facility may oversee the administration function as a whole and coordinate the work of assistant administrators who specialize in a certain area such as medical records or medical insurance. Medical and dental administrators in smaller facilities may be specialists in the type of healthcare delivered by that facility, and must also manage all administrative duties for the facility. Medical and dental administrators are increasingly required to control costs and deliver improvements in quality of care.

Do I Need a Degree to Work in Medical or Dental Administration?
Medical and dental administration requires a high level of technical and specialist knowledge that is usually gained through a bachelor's or master's degree. Medical administration degrees and dental administration degrees can be earned at medical and dental administration schools and colleges, universities, and other education providers. Many accredited health and dental administration degrees lead to a master's in health services administration. Entry-level medical or dental administration positions in smaller facilities or offices can be gained on the back of experience working in healthcare or administration.

Quick Facts About Medical and Dental Administration
  • Medical and health service managers earned a median annual wage of $80,240 in May 2008.
  • Employment of Medical and health service managers is predicted to increase by 16% in the decade to 2018.
  • Job opportunities are likely to be best for applicants with good business management skills and experience of working in healthcare.
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