Experienced dental assistant with expertise in patient care, dental procedures, and office management. Proficient in supporting routine and complex procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety. Strong knowledge of dental hygiene practices and efficient in managing administrative tasks. Contributed to improved oral health outcomes through effective support during examinations and surgeries.
Specialized experience in providing chairside assistance for 26 years, Monday through Friday, 36 hours per week. Working alongside a licensed dentist. I performed intraoral procedures and operated dental X-ray equipment. We used films, and eventually upgraded to digital imaging.
Job duties include instructing patients on proper dental techniques and how to care for their appliances, including dentures, partials, and night guards, as well as the causes of tooth decay and prevention.
Assisted dentists during examinations and procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
Charting examination and treatment information as relayed by the dentist to patient records.
Sterilized instruments and organized treatment rooms following infection control protocols.
Managed electronic health records for accuracy and efficiency in patient data handling.
Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and post-treatment care instructions.
Scheduled appointments and coordinated follow-ups to optimize patient experience.
Aided in the training of dental assistants and students. which involves demonstrating clinic maintenance, chairside assistance, and radiographic duties that are performed regularly.
I took film and digital X-rays, including bitewing and panoramic, preparing the images for the dentist's review.
Passed instruments to dentist during procedures while maintaining a clean work environment.
Passing of instruments and materials to and from the dentist while keeping the operatory area clear, use of high-speed evacuator and suction tip, irrigation, and retracting lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Pouring up, trimming models from impressions, and fabricating custom impression trays, rubber dams, perio packs, matrix bands, and wedges. Pouring up, trimming models from impressions, and fabricating custom impression trays.
Specialized experience in providing chairside assistance for 26 years, Monday through Friday, 36 hours per week. Working alongside a licensed dentist. I performed intraoral procedures and operated dental X-ray equipment. We used films, and eventually upgraded to digital imaging.
Digital x-ray imaging
Electronic health records
Infection control protocols
Patient education
Dental assisting
Patient relationship management
Impression taking
Equipment sterilization
Eaglesoft and Dexis proficiency
Instrument sterilization techniques
Inventory management
I have many things to keep me busy including 3 adult children and 1 in high school. I enjoy camping with my family as well as snow activities in the winter.
I have 26 years experience in the dental field and would love to continue working in the Leavenworth area. I love helping people and dental assisting has been very rewarding to me by making patients hopefully smile a little more everyday. I feel very blessed to be able to work with one Dr for 26 years and wish him the very best in his retirement. He taught me all the skills needed for my job, which is why I have no certificates of training. I do have my BLS training.
I am the only dental assistant in a small 1 Dr office with 3 hygienists. I have many roles in the office. I do all the ordering of supplies and putting them away. I was trained to do in office bleaching as well as making night guards and take home bleaching trays. I also clean and do minor repairs to keep equipment running smoothly, including cleaning of autoclaves and evacuation traps. The hygienists fondly call me the "fix it person."