Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Esmeralda Meza

Los Angeles,CA

Summary

Patient-oriented Bilingual Dental Assistant bringing over 4 years of experience in fast-paced dental practices and veterans medical center. Highly skilled in preparing patients for examinations, assisting with chair-side procedures and scheduling patients for continuing treatment and also experienced in billing and educating patients on oral hygiene and care. Focused on providing top quality customer service.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Dental Assistant

WLA VA Medical Center
07.2023 - Current
  • Increased patient retention by building rapport through excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor.
  • Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, casts and impressions.
  • Educated veteran patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
  • Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
  • Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
  • Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
  • Prepared and positioned patients for procedures, clipping dental bibs and placing patient safety devices.
  • Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
  • Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
  • Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring optimal patient care and treatment outcomes.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing gentle and thorough dental cleanings.
  • Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
  • Supported dentists during oral surgeries by preparing surgical rooms with necessary tools and sterilized instruments.
  • Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
  • Collaborated with the dental team to develop customized treatment plans for individual patients.
  • Measured and recorded vital statistics by taking patients' blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
  • Sterilized rooms and prepped equipment and instruments for Number procedures daily.
  • Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
  • Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
  • Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
  • Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
  • Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
  • Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
  • Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
  • Experienced in oral surgery using nitrous oxide

Dental Assistant, Chairside

Wesley health center
08.2022 - Current
  • Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient
  • Provided chair-side assistance during dental examinations and procedures to boost efficiency and calm nervous patients
  • Laid out dental instruments and equipment before procedures
  • Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review
  • Documented patient records with procedures performed and added notes taken to charts
  • Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care
  • Utilized automated washers to sterilize instruments and prevent cross-infection between patients
  • Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy
  • Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment
  • Created dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated
  • Assisted dentist during examinations by retracting patient's cheeks and tongue
  • Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service
  • Prepared patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects
  • Explained dental services and payment plans to help patients make informed decisions
  • Educated patients on techniques to optimize oral hygiene, control plaque and protect teeth and gums
  • Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts
  • Checked with participants throughout procedures to help alleviate anxiety
  • Followed dentists' directions for giving patients desensitizing agents to prepare for anesthetic administration
  • Applied sealants and protective coatings to teeth to protect enamel and prevent cavities.

Dental Assistant, Chairside

Southern California Medical Center
08.2021 - 06.2022
  • Sanitize equipment, clean treatment rooms and restock supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient
  • Gather and review patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment
  • Create dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated
  • Take bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepare for dentists to review
  • Laid out dental instruments and equipment before procedures
  • Educate patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care
  • Enter patient data into dental records system and observe confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy
  • Take patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately record results in patient charts
  • Take preliminary impressions of patient teeth to prepare for custom impressions and fabrication of permanent dental work
  • Educate patients on techniques to optimize oral hygiene, control plaque and protect teeth and gums
  • Prepare patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects
  • Document patient records with procedures performed and add notes taken to charts
  • Assist dentist during examinations by retracting patient's cheeks and tongue
  • Follow dentists' directions for giving patients desensitizing agents to prepare for anesthetic administration
  • Built loyal patient following and retaining return patients by providing empathetic and caring service
  • Stock and prepare exam and treatment rooms by setting up required instruments, tools, supplies and equipment
  • Sterilize tools, exam chair, trays and surfaces for clean and safe dental office
  • Escort patients to exam rooms while making friendly conversation to prepare for cleanings and procedures
  • Assist dentists in permanent and temporary restorative procedures, apply dental fillings, place temporary crowns and seat permanent crowns
  • Manage use, cleaning, sterilization and storage of instruments according to American Dental Association standards
  • Gather medical information, dental health history and vitals from patients
  • Schedule cleanings and dental appointments for patients using appointment software
  • Pass instruments to dentist, gently sprayed water, suction fluids and mixed materials to support dentists during procedures
  • Maintain master calendar and schedule new appointments based on provider availability
  • Support dentist chairside with root canal and extraction procedures
  • Instruct patients on postoperative care to protect dental work and promote healing
  • Instruct and educated patients to prepare for oral surgery
  • Assist dentist with completing procedures
  • Support dentist with completing minimally invasive and advanced surgical procedures.

Dental Assistant Extern

Omid dental
03.2021 - 04.2021
  • Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient
  • Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment
  • Administered x-rays under supervision
  • Sterilized dental equipment and examination rooms in accordance with infection control policies
  • Maintained dental lab equipment by sanitizing surfaces and organizing tools, instruments and equipment
  • Exposed dental diagnostic x-rays.

Tally Operator

Grimmway Farms - Arvin
02.2019 - 02.2021
  • Removed damaged and defective stock products, communicating discrepancies or shortages to supervisor
  • Weighed or measured materials, equipment or products using volume meters, scales, rules, or calipers
  • Sorted products and materials into predetermined sequences for display, packing, shipping and storage
  • Stored finished products in labeled cartons and recorded location
  • Documented test result data and value of materials to maintain shipping, receiving and production records
  • Collected product samples to prepare for laboratory analysis and testing
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.

Education

Certificate in Certified Dental Assistant -

UEI College
Bakersfield, CA
03.2020

Skills

  • Oral surgery
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Endo
  • Implants
  • Treatment room setup
  • Patient schedule management
  • Disinfecting rooms and equipment
  • Chairside assistance
  • Oral X-Rays
  • Restorative procedures
  • Sterilization techniques
  • Exam room setups
  • Dentrix Proficiency
  • Customer Service
  • Detail-Oriented
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Treatment Planning
  • Disinfection and Sterilization
  • Oral Health Assessments
  • Dental Radiography

Languages

Spanish
Full Professional

Timeline

Dental Assistant

WLA VA Medical Center
07.2023 - Current

Dental Assistant, Chairside

Wesley health center
08.2022 - Current

Dental Assistant, Chairside

Southern California Medical Center
08.2021 - 06.2022

Dental Assistant Extern

Omid dental
03.2021 - 04.2021

Tally Operator

Grimmway Farms - Arvin
02.2019 - 02.2021

Certificate in Certified Dental Assistant -

UEI College

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Esmeralda Meza