Deaundra Walker
DeSoto,TX
Summary
Accomplished Dental Assistant Instructor at Zollege, adept in clinical supervision and patient care techniques. Leveraged expertise in dentistry and learning styles adaptation to enhance student success rates. Excelled in conflict management and public speaking, significantly improving customer satisfaction and student engagement. Proven track record in fostering professional growth and achieving educational excellence.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dental Assistant Instructor
Zollege
Duncanville, Texas
12.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented course curriculum to ensure students had the necessary knowledge to become successful dental assistants.
- Assisted in the preparation of materials for lectures, presentations, and demonstrations.
- Held clinical simulation projects and provided each student with individual feedback.
- Maintained a safe learning environment by monitoring student performance during labs and clinicals.
- Conducted regular assessments of student progress through quizzes and exams.
- Monitored attendance records of all enrolled students to ensure they meet state requirements for graduation eligibility.
- Collaborated with other instructors within the department on developing innovative teaching methods.
- Managed daily operations by delivering laboratory instruction, curriculum implementation, student advisement and continuous improvement of industry best practices.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to students throughout their studies to help them reach their goals.
- Passed out syllabi and informed students of course standards and learning objectives.
- Instructed on topics such as dental anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, radiology, restorative dentistry and office practice.
- Demonstrated proper techniques for infection control, sterilization, chair side procedures, patient management, and laboratory skills.
- Took attendance daily and wrote overall attendance reports.
- Used individualized instruction techniques to educate students on patient observation, assessment, decision-making and health teaching.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Patient Care Coordinator/Registered Dental Assistant
Affordable Dentures & Implants
Arlington, TX
08.2020 - Current
- Received and routed care team messages and documents to appropriate staff.
- Communicated with patients to ensure quality of care and develop care plans.
- Performed administrative duties such as filing paperwork, answering phones, and scheduling appointments.
- Maintained comprehensive patient records, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Taught volunteers how to relate to guests, uphold patients' rights and respond to specific issues.
- Assisted patients in understanding their care plans and healthcare options.
- Addressed and resolved patient concerns and complaints in a timely and empathetic manner.
- Collaborated with clinical and administrative staff to meet patient needs.
- Coordinated with insurance companies to confirm patient coverage and process claims.
- Counselled patients on potential financial liabilities and payment requirements.
- Demonstrated flexibility during changes to patient care practice.
- Processed patient intake information and updated medical records prior to treatment.
- Liaised effectively with patients, doctors and staff members, assessing medical charts and promoting high level of communication and interaction.
- Verified patients' insurance and payment methods during admissions or check-in processes.
- Troubleshot and resolved complex customer service issues to enhance patient and family experience.
- Scheduled appointments for patients and coordinated follow-up visits as needed.
- Instructed patients on policies and required actions for different types of appointments and procedures.
- Ensured that all necessary documentation was completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
- Scheduled evaluations and procedures for patients.
- Responded promptly to any emergency situations that arose within the facility.
- Provided ongoing communication with patients, families, and other healthcare providers regarding treatment plans and progress.
- Prepared patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects.
- Supported dentist chairside with root canal and extraction procedures.
- Assisted dentist during examinations by retracting patient's cheeks and tongue.
- Scheduled cleanings and dental appointments for patients using appointment software.
- Fabricated provisional crowns, bleaching trays and custom impression trays from alginate impressions or stone casts when necessary.
- Monitored and recorded patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and respiration.
- Briefed patients on dental procedures and payment plans to help make informed decisions.
- Greeted incoming patients, verified insurance coverage and scheduled appointments.
- Set up operatories with appropriate instruments for each procedure prior to patient arrival.
- Created bitewing, panoramic and periapical X-ray images for dentist to review.
- Updated patient records with new data and treatment information.
- Documented all treatment plans in patient records according to office standards.
Lead Dental Assistant and Front Desk
Mighty Smiles
Dallas, Texas
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Actively participated in team meetings to discuss workflow strategies for improving productivity.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Kept track of treatment information in patient records.
- Exposed dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Implemented infection control policies when preparing treatment areas or disposing of hazardous waste materials.
- Provided chairside assistance to dentists during dental procedures.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available for each procedure.
- Organized patient files electronically within the practice management software system.
- Managed incoming calls from patients regarding appointments or inquiries about services offered.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Explained dental services and payment plans to help patients make informed decisions.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Documented patient records during procedures and added notes taken to treatment chart.
- Prepared patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects.
- Assisted in the training of new dental assistants by providing guidance on protocols and processes.
- Served as a liaison between the dentist's office and insurance companies for verifying coverage information.
- Instructed patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-operative care.
Lead Dental Assistant
South Texas Dental
Arlington, Texas
08.2015 - 06.2018
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Developed X-rays using digital imaging technology and processed them in accordance with safety regulations.
- Created dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available for each procedure.
- Stocked and prepared exam and treatment rooms by setting up required instruments, tools, supplies and equipment.
- Escorted patients to exam rooms while making friendly conversation to prepare for cleanings and procedures.
- Performed administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records.
- Maintained patient charts, including medical histories, medications, and allergies.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental examinations and procedures to boost efficiency and calm nervous patients.
- Assisted with the setup of treatment rooms and sterilization of instruments.
- Updated patient records with new data and treatment information.
- Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.
- Educated patients on preventive oral health care practices such as brushing and flossing techniques.
- Adhered to all applicable laws related to HIPAA compliance for protecting patient confidentiality.
- Took medical and dental history and recorded vital signs of patients.
- Provided feedback to the dentist regarding any observed changes in a patient's condition during treatment sessions.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
Dental Assistant
Zena Dental
Cedar Hill, Texas
03.2015 - 06.2015
- Assisted dentist in providing dental treatment to patients, including taking patient medical histories and vital signs.
- Prepared dental materials such as amalgam, composite resin, impression material and cements for use by the dentist.
- Helped maintain inventory levels of all dental supplies used in day-to-day operations.
- Passed instruments to dentist, gently sprayed water, suctioned fluids and mixed materials to support dentists during procedures.
- Exposed dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Documented patient records during procedures and added notes taken to treatment chart.
- Greeted patients upon arrival at the office and escorted them to an examination room.
- Gathered and documented patient medical and dental histories and vital signs.
- Briefed patients on dental procedures and payment plans to help make informed decisions.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental procedures, including passing instruments to the dentist and holding suction devices.
- Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.
- Updated patient records with new data and treatment information.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Certificate - Dental Assistant
Concorde Career College
Dallas, TX06-2015
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX05-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of North Texas
DallasSkills
- Clinical supervision
- Dental materials selection
- Feedback provision
- Expertise in dentistry
- Chairside assisting
- Learning styles adaptation
- Patient care techniques
- Public speaking
- Conflict Management
- Fast learner
- Proper telephone etiquette
- Problem-Solving
- Time management
- Customer Relationship Management
Certification
- RDA
- CPR
- Osha Training
- Visalign
Accomplishments
- Was promoted to Assistant Supervisor 2024
- Graduated Concorde Career College with a 3.9
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Dental Assistant Instructor
Zollege
12.2024 - Current
Patient Care Coordinator/Registered Dental Assistant
Affordable Dentures & Implants
08.2020 - Current
Lead Dental Assistant and Front Desk
Mighty Smiles
06.2018 - 06.2020
Lead Dental Assistant
South Texas Dental
08.2015 - 06.2018
Dental Assistant
Zena Dental
03.2015 - 06.2015
Certificate - Dental Assistant
Concorde Career College
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
Navarro College
Bachelor of Arts - Education
University of North Texas
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