Colette Polk
Gainesville,VA
Summary
Dedicated dental hygienist known for delivering compassionate care and managing meticulous treatment plans. Proven ability to educate patients on preventive dental health practices while collaborating with dentists to optimize treatment outcomes.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered dental hygienist
Gum springs dental care
Chantilly, Virginia
02.2026 - Current
- Cleaned and polished patients' teeth using dental instruments and tools.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene techniques and personalized care strategies to promote better dental health.
- Performed periodontal assessments and charted conditions accurately.
- Sterilized dental instruments and maintained a safe environment.
- Managed patient records and updated health information efficiently.
- Supported the dentist during procedures by preparing necessary materials.
- Built rapport with patients to enhance their comfort during visits.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth clinic operations.
- Performed periodontal charting and took intraoral radiographs.
- Provided preventive dental care services such as cleaning teeth and instructing patients on oral hygiene techniques.
- Removed deposits from teeth by scaling and root planing with hand or ultrasonic instruments.
- Took dental images and X-rays to identify areas of concern and presented to dentists for review.
- Customized dental prophylactic treatment to meet individual patients' needs.
- Educated patients about proper oral health care, including diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluoride.
- Managed sterilization processes for dental equipment according to OSHA guidelines.
- Instructed patients on dental hygiene and oral care by demonstrating effective flossing and brushing techniques and recommending quality oral care products.
- Ensured that infection control procedures were followed at all times during treatments.
- Assessed patient needs for further dental treatment and referred them to appropriate dentists or specialists.
- Examined gums manually and visually to determine periodontal disease and screen for oral cancer.
- Participated in continuing education courses related to advances in the field of dentistry.
- Applied sealants, fluorides, desensitizing agents, topical anesthetics, cavity varnishes, and other restorative materials to teeth surfaces.
- Managed scheduling of patient visits to optimize clinic workflow. for follow-up visits with dentists or hygienists as needed.
- Monitored patient progress during office visits and reported any changes in oral health to dentist.
- Reviewed patient charts before providing care in order to ensure accuracy of information.
- Collaborated with dentists to develop tailored treatment plans addressing individual patient needs and enhancing treatment outcomes.
- Studied new and advanced dental hygiene methods and technology by completing continuing education coursework.
- Answered questions from patients concerning their dental needs or concerns.
- Maintained accurate records of patient treatments utilizing electronic health records systems.
- Obtained medical histories from new patients prior to beginning treatment plans.
- Procured necessary dental supplies to maintain operational efficiency. necessary for daily operations within budgetary limits.
- Instructed patients on postoperative instructions regarding medications, diet, brushing and flossing techniques.
- Provided compassionate care to patients during dental procedures. using advanced tooth cleaning methods.
- Maintained a clean work environment by following safety protocols set forth by the American Dental Association.
- Developed positive relationships with patients through effective communication techniques.
- Accurately collected and recorded patient medical and dental histories.
- Scheduled patient appointments and managed follow-up care.
- Established clean, sterile and welcoming environment for patients.
- Cleaned and polished removable dentures, brackets, wires and other appliances.
- Assisted dentist during examination by retracting patient's tongue and cheeks.
Registered dental hygienist
Family dental care of warrenton
Warrenton, Virginia
02.2019 - 12.2025
- Performed comprehensive dental cleanings and periodontal assessments for diverse patient populations.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and preventive care techniques.
- Assisted dentists during examinations and provided chair-side support as needed.a
- Assisted dentists during examinations and provided chair-side support as needed.
- Utilized advanced dental equipment for diagnostic imaging and treatment procedures.
- Maintained accurate patient records and updated treatment plans in electronic systems.
- Collaborated with dental team to ensure optimal patient comfort and care standards.
- Managed sterilization processes to uphold infection control protocols effectively.
- Developed patient education materials to enhance understanding of dental health issues.
- Provided preventive dental care services such as cleaning teeth and instructing patients on oral hygiene techniques.
- Performed periodontal charting and took intraoral radiographs.
- Took dental images and X-rays to identify areas of concern and presented to dentists for review.
- Removed deposits from teeth by scaling and root planing with hand or ultrasonic instruments.
- Customized dental prophylactic treatment to meet individual patients' needs.
- Educated patients about proper oral health care, including diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluoride.
- Managed sterilization processes for dental equipment according to OSHA guidelines.
- Instructed patients on dental hygiene and oral care by demonstrating effective flossing and brushing techniques and recommending quality oral care products.
- Ensured that infection control procedures were followed at all times during treatments.
- Assessed patient needs for further dental treatment and referred them to appropriate dentists or specialists.
- Examined gums manually and visually to determine periodontal disease and screen for oral cancer.
- Monitored patients for pain and administered topical anesthetic to numb sensitive areas.
- Participated in continuing education courses related to advances in the field of dentistry.
- Applied sealants, fluorides, desensitizing agents, topical anesthetics, cavity varnishes, and other restorative materials to teeth surfaces as needed.
- Scheduled appointments for follow-up visits with dentists or hygienists as needed.
- Monitored patient progress during office visits and reported any changes in oral health to dentist.
- Reviewed patient charts before providing care in order to ensure accuracy of information.
- Ensured accuracy and confidentiality of dental records to support patient care. and entered information into system, keeping important patient information on file.
- Collaborated with dentists in developing individualized treatment plans for each patient's needs.
- Studied new and advanced dental hygiene methods and technology by completing continuing education coursework.
- Answered questions from patients concerning their dental needs or concerns.
- Maintained accurate records of patient treatments utilizing electronic health records systems.
- Obtained medical histories from new patients prior to beginning treatment plans.
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations within budgetary limits.
- Instructed patients on postoperative instructions regarding medications, diet, brushing and flossing techniques.
- Maintained a clean work environment by following safety protocols set forth by the American Dental Association.
- Cared for patients using advanced tooth cleaning methods.
- Developed positive relationships with patients through effective communication techniques.
- Accurately collected and recorded patient medical and dental histories.
- Scheduled patient appointments and managed follow-up care.
- Took medical and dental history and recorded vital signs of patients.
- Selected and prepared tools used for procedures by sanitizing and arranging.
- Established clean, sterile and welcoming environment for patients.
- Prepared treatment rooms for patient examinations.
- Cleaned and polished removable dentures, brackets, wires and other appliances.
- Assisted dentist during examination by retracting patient's tongue and cheeks.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV05-1990
Skills
- Periodontal assessment
- Cavity detection
- Dental radiography
- Infection control
- Patient education
- Preventive dentistry
- Oral cancer screening
- Caries assessment
- Root planning and scaling expertise
- Teeth scaling
- Fluoride application
- Sealant application
- Dental disease management
- Restorative dentistry
- Dental evaluation and assessment
- Pediatric dentistry
- Geriatric dentistry
- Nutrition counseling
- Compassionate care
- Effective communication
- Patient communication techniques
- Patient education
- Team collaboration
- Patient management
- Patient relationship management
- Patient relationship development
- Medical history documentation
- Medical history review
- Session documentation management
- Appointment scheduling
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- OSHA and infection control adherence
- Regulatory compliance
- Supply management
- Dental instrument sterilization
- Radiographic interpretation
- Procedural assistance
- Digital radiography
- Digital radiographs
- Intra-oral camera operations
- Intraoral imaging
- Nitrous oxide sedation
- Local anesthesia administration
- Topical anesthetic
- Anesthetic delivery
- Soft tissue management (STM)
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Dental charting
- Radiographic interpretation
- Treatment planning
- Treatment planning and execution
- Compassionate care
- Professional development
- Cultural competence
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Procedural assistance
- Regulatory compliance
- Local anesthetics use
- Patient relationship management
- Patient relationship development
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Geriatric dentistry
- Oral health education
- Dental impression techniques
- Topical anesthetic
- Orthodontic care
- Tooth whitening
- Dentrix software proficiency
- Ultrasonic scaling
- Anesthetic delivery
- Patient safety proficiency
- Intraoral imaging
- Cultural competence
- Intraoral imaging
- Soft tissue management
Accomplishments
- Always top performer in my region. Among the top 20 hygienist last 7 years with entire heartland company. Have always made the recognition trip to Mexico.
Timeline
Registered dental hygienist
Gum springs dental care
02.2026 - Current
Registered dental hygienist
Family dental care of warrenton
02.2019 - 12.2025
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
West Virginia University