Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Cassandra Thurston

San Diego,CA

Summary

Motivated and patient-focused healthcare provider with 19 years of experience treating individuals with diverse dental concerns. Passionate about providing compassionate care and building relationships with patients to facilitate trust. Active listener with commitment to developing rapport. Offering exceptional patient education skills to promote preventive care.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Registered Dental Hygienist

Alvarado Dental
09.2012 - 02.2023
  • Delivered compassionate care and monitored patient comfort through communication, exceptional clinical skills, gentle approach and positive rapport development.
  • Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in practice management software.
  • Screened patients for signs of oral cancer, lesions, or disease by visually and manually inspecting mouth and gums.
  • Educated patients on importance of oral hygiene and demonstrated techniques for flossing and brushing.
  • Improved and developed knowledge through continuing education courses and seminars.
  • Captured dental radiographs and provided to dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
  • Cared for patients with special needs by providing education related to specific procedures and communicating with caregivers.
  • Coordinated hygiene inventory management by tracking supplies, placing orders and verifying receipt of items.
  • Capably performed prophylaxis in absence of periodontal disease or gingivitis.
  • Performed preventive maintenance on dental equipment and resolved malfunctions by troubleshooting.
  • Sterilized equipment to keep dental tools clean and safe for use, reducing risk of infection.
  • Made and confirmed appointments to promote necessary follow-up care to maintain dental health.
  • Correctly administered local anesthetic and adjunctive therapies such as fluoride treatments and irrigation.

Registered Dental Hygienist

Mercado Dental
09.2010 - 07.2011

Registered Dental Hygienist

Olinger Dental
08.2006 - 09.2010

Education

Certification - Folk Herbalism

School of The Sacred Wild
Topanga, CA
08.2023

AS - Dental Hygiene

Southwestern College
San Diego, CA
06.2006

BS - Health Science: Health Education

California State University
Northridge, CA
2002

Massage Technician Certificate and Acupressure 1 -

Mueller College of Holistic Studies
San Diego, CA
1999

Skills

  • Digital Radiographs
  • Oral Cancer Screening
  • Rapport Development
  • Periodontal Evaluation
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Soft Tissue Management (STM)
  • Preventive Oral Health Education
  • Stain Removal
  • Universal Precautions
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Patient Assessments
  • Intra-Oral Camera Operations
  • Local Anesthetics Use
  • Compliance Training
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Treatment Planning
  • Instrument and Room Setup
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Root Planing
  • Antibiotic Treatment Administration
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Nutrition Counseling
  • Compassionate and Caring

Accomplishments

  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
  • Performed approximately 8 prophylactic procedures per day.
  • Trained and mentored new hygienists and assistants.
  • Educated patients about treatments to reduce anxiety and reluctance to treatment.
  • Helped implement new digital dental records management system, leading to improvement in efficiency.

Volunteer Work

  • Fall 2017-Current PTA and school related classroom activities as room parent for my daughters classrooms in Poway Unified School District
  • Fall 2017-Current Girl Scouts Troop Leader/Treasurer for my daughters troops
  • 2012-2019 Community Outreach with Share the Care providing resources and materials to underserved populations
  • Spring 2006 Share the Care Internship/Service Learning - provided support at sealant/varnish clinics, assistance with community outreach, development of materials, continuing education courses, display and website materials, and research
  • Fall 2005 Special Smiles Special Olympics, Rincon Sealant Clinic San Diego, CA
  • January-August 2002 Hygiene Assistant, Dr. Jeffrey Muehl La Jolla, CA

Affiliations

American Dental Hygienists’ Association, California Dental Hygienists’ Association, San Diego County Dental Hygienists’ Society CPR/AED current

Timeline

Registered Dental Hygienist

Alvarado Dental
09.2012 - 02.2023

Registered Dental Hygienist

Mercado Dental
09.2010 - 07.2011

Registered Dental Hygienist

Olinger Dental
08.2006 - 09.2010

Certification - Folk Herbalism

School of The Sacred Wild

AS - Dental Hygiene

Southwestern College

BS - Health Science: Health Education

California State University

Massage Technician Certificate and Acupressure 1 -

Mueller College of Holistic Studies
Cassandra Thurston