Dedicated Expanded Functions Dental Assistant with a proven track record at Fort Defiance Medical Center, enhancing patient satisfaction through exceptional patient care and expertise in dental radiography. Skilled in both restorative procedures and empathetic patient communication, I have significantly contributed to efficient treatment outcomes and office productivity. Continuously seeking professional development to stay at the forefront of dental advancements.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Fort Defiance Indian Hospital
03.2010 - Current
Contributed to a positive patient experience by effectively addressing concerns and answering questions about dental treatments.
Applied fluoride varnish and sealants.
Supported dentist during oral surgeries, ensuring proper instrument preparation and sterilization procedures were followed.
Built strong rapport with patients through empathetic communication skills, fostering trust in dental care providers.
Increased efficiency in the dental office by assisting with chairside duties such as taking impressions and fabricating temporary crowns.
Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols, safeguarding the health of patients and staff.
Expanded knowledge of dental techniques and advancements by attending continuing education courses, applying new learnings to daily practice.
Assisted in coronal polishing.
Assisted dentists in complex procedures, ensuring efficient and high-quality treatment outcomes.
Conducted pre-operative assessments of patients'' medical history to minimize risks associated with anesthesia administration during dental procedures.
Ensured smooth operation of dental practice by performing routine maintenance on equipment, identifying issues early on to prevent costly repairs.
Streamlined appointment scheduling and management, reducing wait times and improving patient satisfaction.
Took Number x-rays per week.
Enhanced patient comfort and safety by strictly adhering to sterilization procedures and cross-contamination protocols.
Enhanced team collaboration and patient care by providing timely assistance to dentists and hygienists during procedures.
Streamlined dental procedure process, preparing instruments and materials ahead of each appointment.
Enhanced accuracy of patient treatment plans by diligently collecting and recording medical histories and dental chart information.
Increased efficiency in dental treatments by proficiently assisting in various dental procedures such as fillings, extractions, and crowns.
Successfully managed patient anxiety and improved their experience with effective communication and empathetic care practices.
Improved patient understanding of dental procedures and aftercare instructions through clear and concise explanations.
Improved patient outcomes with skillful application of dental sealants and fluoride treatments, contributing to better oral health.
Elevated standard of care by continuously updating skills and knowledge through professional development courses and certifications.
Played key role in emergency dental care by quickly responding to urgent patient needs and assisting in providing immediate treatment.
Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
Prepared patient X-rays and images for review by dentist.
Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
Measured and recorded vital statistics by taking patients' blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, Type, casts and impressions.
Pediatric Dental Assistant
Fort Defiance Indian Health Service
04.2000 - Current
Educated parents on preventative measures such as proper brushing techniques, flossing habits, and nutritional choices that contribute positively to their child''s oral health.
Maintained a clean, safe environment in the treatment rooms, adhering to stringent sterilization protocols.
Improved patient comfort by providing educational materials and addressing their concerns regarding dental procedures.
Contributed to practice growth by delivering exceptional customer service, resulting in increased patient satisfaction and referrals.
Prepared treatment rooms efficiently before each procedure, setting up instruments and equipment as needed.
Assisted dentists during procedures, effectively anticipating needs and reducing treatment times.
Utilized digital radiography equipment to capture high-quality diagnostic images, aiding in accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
Facilitated better communication between parents and providers through clear explanations of dental treatment plans and procedures.
Ensured optimal oral health for pediatric patients with thorough teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments.
Provided post-operative care instructions to parents or guardians, promoting proper healing and recovery after dental treatments.
Optimized patient flow in the dental office by coordinating with front desk staff, dental hygienists, and dentists for seamless transitions between appointments.
Enhanced office efficiency by maintaining accurate patient records and scheduling appointments according to dentist availability.
Continuously updated knowledge of pediatric dentistry best practices through ongoing professional development opportunities.
Built rapport with young patients by engaging them in age-appropriate conversation during visits to alleviate anxiety or fear surrounding dental appointments.
Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
Sterilized rooms and prepped equipment and instruments for Number procedures daily.
Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
Prepared patient X-rays and images for review by dentist.
Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, Type, casts and impressions.
Exposed, developed and mounted dental x-rays.
Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
Dental Assistant
Phoenix Indian Medical Center
06.1998 - 02.2000
Ensured proper sterilization of dental instruments to uphold sanitation standards.
Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Performed x-rays safely while adhering to radiation safety guidelines, ensuring high-quality diagnostic images for dentists'' evaluations.
Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
Sterilized rooms and prepped equipment and instruments for Number procedures daily.
Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and treatment outcomes.
Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
Prepared instruments and equipment for use in dental procedures, ensuring their availability when needed.
Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
Managed inventory of dental supplies, reducing waste and optimizing resource allocation.
Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
Supported dentists during oral surgeries by preparing surgical rooms with necessary tools and sterilized instruments.
Periodontal Therapy for Expanded Function Dental Assistants
Advanced Pediatric Restorative Techniques for Expanded Function Dental Assistants
Basic Restorative Functions course
Advanced Restorative Functions
Pediatric Restorative Dentistry for Dental Assistant
Annual Clinical Competency for (EF) Dental Assistant - Periodontal
Annual Clinical Competency for (EF) Dental Assistant for Basic Restorative
Annual Clinical Competency for (EF) Dental Assistant for Advanced Restorative
Expanded Function Dental Assistant CERTIFICATION for Composite Only
Annual Clinical Competency for (EF) Dental Assistant - Composite Only Restorative
Completed Radiological Health and Safety Examination course
Completed Digital Imaging Heath and Safety Examination course
Maintain and update mandatory in services such as; HIPAA, Privacy Act, Hospital wide and Dental Policy Reviews, BLS/CPRE, Safety and Infection Control.
Maintain annual radiology re-certification
Maintain annual stone mode competency training
Maintain recertification in: Expanded Function Prophylaxis, Basic and Advanced Restoration
Accomplishments
Supervised team of Number staff members.
Timeline
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Fort Defiance Indian Hospital
03.2010 - Current
Pediatric Dental Assistant
Fort Defiance Indian Health Service
04.2000 - Current
Dental Assistant
Phoenix Indian Medical Center
06.1998 - 02.2000
Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) - American Heart Association