Erika Zavala
Kissimmee,FL
Summary
Dynamic Dental Hygienist with extensive experience at Aurora Dental Group, skilled in ultrasonic instrumentation and patient education. Proven track record in enhancing patient oral health through effective periodontal therapy and oral cancer screenings. Adept at building strong patient relationships, ensuring a welcoming environment, and maintaining rigorous infection control standards.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Hygienist
Aurora Dental Group
05.2024 - 07.2025
- Maintained up-to-date patient records, including medical histories and treatment plans, to facilitate accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments.
- Educated patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques to promote long-term oral health.
- Cleaned patient's teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Enhanced patient experience by building rapport, addressing concerns, and explaining procedures in a professional manner.
- Sterilized equipment to keep dental tools clean and safe for use, reducing risk of infection.
- Supported office administrative tasks such as answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance billing inquiries when needed.
- Tailored individualized periodontal maintenance programs for patients suffering from gum disease or other related concerns.
- Applied fluoride and dental sealants to protect patients' teeth from decay.
- Improved patient oral health by conducting thorough dental cleanings and providing personalized home care instructions.
- Participated in continuing education courses to stay current on industry best practices and emerging technologies within the field of dental hygiene.
- Improved and developed knowledge through continuing education courses and seminars.
- Implemented effective infection control measures by sterilizing instruments and following strict protocols for cleanliness.
Hygienist Volunteer
Florida Mission of Mercy
02.2023 - 12.2024
- Maintained accurate records of each patient''s medical history, ensuring appropriate care based on individual needs and circumstances.
- Improved patient oral health by providing thorough dental cleanings and recommending appropriate home care routines.
- Collaborated with dental team members to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Increased early detection of oral health issues by conducting thorough oral cancer screenings during routine appointments.
- Facilitated timely referrals to specialists when necessary, fostering a collaborative approach to comprehensive dental care for patients.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail while charting periodontal conditions during examinations, contributing to more accurate diagnoses from dentists.
- Supported successful orthodontic treatments by performing wire adjustments, bracket placements, and band fittings as needed.
- Promoted preventive care measures among patients by administering fluoride treatments and applying dental sealants when indicated.
- Continually updated professional knowledge through relevant continuing education courses, staying current with industry advancements in hygiene practices and techniques.
- Strengthened patient rapport through empathetic communication, addressing concerns and answering questions effectively.
- Assisted in the development of patient education materials, resulting in more informed patients and better overall oral health outcomes.
- Ensured compliance with infection control protocols, providing a safe atmosphere for all clinic visitors.
- Contributed to a welcoming office environment by maintaining positive relationships with patients and coworkers.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling, resulting in increased efficiency and improved time management for both staff and patients.
Dental Hygienist
AvantDental Group
03.2024 - 05.2024
- Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in [Software].
- Captured patients' dental radiographs and provided to dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
- Conducted oral cancer screenings during routine dental exams, resulting in early detection of potential issues.
- Screened patients for signs of oral cancer, lesions, or disease by visually and manually inspecting mouth and gums.
- Utilized advanced digital radiography techniques to capture high-quality images for diagnostic purposes.
- Made and confirmed appointments to promote necessary follow-up care to maintain dental health.
- Promoted a welcoming environment by maintaining a clean and organized workspace, leading to increased patient satisfaction rates.
- Carried out advanced dental cleaning services.
- Applied fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities in both children and adults.
- Educated patients on importance of oral hygiene and demonstrated techniques for flossing, brushing and [Task].
- Educated patients on importance of oral hygiene and demonstrated techniques for flossing and brushing.
- Collaborated with the dental team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex conditions.
- Took and interpreted X-rays to identify cavities, impacted teeth and other dental issues.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene and care to prevent future dental issues.
General Dentist
M&D Dentist
01.2021 - 03.2021
- Participated actively within community events promoting oral health awareness and offering dental screenings, highlighting the importance of preventive care measures.
- Performed various dental procedures for a diverse clientele, including fillings, extractions, root canals, and crown placements.
- Improved patient oral health by performing comprehensive dental examinations, diagnoses, and treatments.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene practices, leading to improved overall oral health.
- Mentored junior dentists by sharing knowledge about best practices in dentistry and discussing complex cases together for better decision making.
- Maintained detailed patient records to ensure accurate documentation of treatment plans and progress.
- Collaborated with specialists such as orthodontists or periodontists when necessary for optimal patient outcomes.
Education
Certification - CPR & AED
Basic Life Support
Kissimmee, FL12-2023
Ph.D. - Dental Hygiene
University of Carabobo
Carabobo, Venezuela07-2006
Skills
- Ultrasonic instrumentation
- Periodontal therapy
- Local anesthesia administration
- Oral cancer screening
- Sealant application
- Patient relationship building
- Patient education
- Infection control
- Periodontal maintenance
- Periodontal evaluation
- Digital radiographs
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Treatment Planning
- Patient education and prophylaxis
- Preventive oral health education
- Fluoride treatments
- Anesthetic administration
- Dental prophylaxis
- Patient education and counseling
- Root planning and scaling expertise
- Dental radiography
- Dental charting
- Dentrix software proficiency
- Nitrous oxide sedation
- Dental software proficiency
Accomplishments
- Trained and mentored [Number] new hygienists and assistants.
- Helped implement new digital dental records management system, leading to [Number]% improvement in efficiency.
- Performed approximately [Number] prophylactic procedures per day.
- Educated patients about treatments to reduce anxiety and reluctance to treatment.
- Created community outreach programs to educate public on oral health and care.
- Improved revenues by [Number]% by scheduling next patient appointments during checkout process.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Dental Hygienist
Aurora Dental Group
05.2024 - 07.2025
Dental Hygienist
AvantDental Group
03.2024 - 05.2024
Hygienist Volunteer
Florida Mission of Mercy
02.2023 - 12.2024
General Dentist
M&D Dentist
01.2021 - 03.2021
Certification - CPR & AED
Basic Life Support
Ph.D. - Dental Hygiene
University of Carabobo
Similar Profiles
Asuncion BarberenaAsuncion Barberena
Customer Service Representative at Complete Dental SolutionsCustomer Service Representative at Complete Dental Solutions
Josipa SoptaJosipa Sopta
Dental Hygienist at Aurora DentalDental Hygienist at Aurora Dental
Lorena A Castillo RLorena A Castillo R
Dental Assistant at Aurora DentalDental Assistant at Aurora Dental
Xarielys Baez SenerizXarielys Baez Seneriz
Huevo Frito Bristo Cafe at Family BusinessHuevo Frito Bristo Cafe at Family Business
Khylah DawsonKhylah Dawson
Personal Shopper at WalmartPersonal Shopper at Walmart