Job Description

Head Dental Receptionist and Patient Experience Lead - Lighthouse Dental Practice, Ipswich

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours: Full Time/Part Time
Location: Ipswich

At Lighthouse Dental Practice, we're driven by dedication to patient care, family values, integrity, and a strong social conscience. We believe in prevention-first dentistry and creating a warm, welcoming environment where every patient feels valued and cared for.

We're seeking an exceptional Head Dental Receptionist & Patient Experience Coordinator to lead our front-of-house team.

This is a pivotal role where your warm personality and natural ability to make patients feel comfortable will shine.

You'll be the heart of our practice creating outstanding patient experiences, coordinating care journeys, and inspiring your team to deliver the same level of excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Create memorable patient experiences : use your warm, engaging personality to make every patient feel welcome, comfortable, and valued from the moment they contact us Lead and inspire the reception team with confidence, compassion, and positivity Build lasting patient relationships and understand individual needs and concerns, putting anxious patients at ease Coordinate patient care journeys from initial enquiry through to treatment completion Present treatment options confidently: use your communication and sales skills to help patients understand the value of their dental care Manage appointments efficiently using SOE dental software Handle patient enquiries with empathy and professionalism across all channels Process payments and insurance claims accurately Maintain patient records with attention to detail and confidentiality Support the practice's preventative care philosophy through patient education and encouragement Problem-solve with grace: turn challenges into positive outcomes
What We Offer:

Competitive salary, reflecting your experience and exceptional interpersonal skills
Leadership opportunity: head a friendly, professional team
Excellent work-life balance
Values-driven practice where integrity and patient care come first
Supportive environment : family atmosphere with open communication
Professional development: ongoing training and career progression
Make a real difference : be the person patients remember and trust

What We're Looking For:

Essential:

Outstanding people skills natural warmth, empathy, and the ability to make anyone feel comfortable Helping patients see the value in their care (without being pushy!) Proven experience in dental reception, with leadership or supervisory experience preferred SOE dental software experience (or quick learner with similar systems) Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities Professional yet approachable manner: you are the calming presence patients need Strong communication skills both written and verbal Ability to build rapport quickly and put anxious patients at ease Calm under pressure with excellent problem-solving skills Commitment to patient confidentiality and practice values
Desirable:

Understanding of NHS/private dental treatment processes Previous experience in customer service or hospitality
We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys people , someone whose smile is infectious, who remembers names and details, and who can turn a nervous patient into a relaxed one. You are naturally personable, diplomatically persuasive, and create an atmosphere where patients feel heard, understood, and cared for.

We emphasize prevention, patient comfort, and the highest standards of care through a calm, reassuring, and professional approach. Our team thrives on open communication and adapting to individual patient needs. As our Patient Experience Coordinator, you'll be central to delivering our vision of nurturing both oral health and overall well-being in every person we serve.

Ready to Lead Our Team?

If you're an experienced receptionist with exceptional people skills and a talent for creating comfortable, positive patient experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Email your CV to: practicemanager@lighthousedentalpractice.co.uk

Call us for an informal chat: 01473257379
Learn more about us: www.lighthousedentalpractice.co.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From 28,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.75 - 37 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Employee mentoring programme Financial planning services Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Private dental insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:

Ipswich: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Dental office/ nursing: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person