Florina J Howard
Navajo
Summary
With a proven track record at Fort Defiance Indian Health Board, I excel in dental radiography and team leadership, enhancing patient care through advanced sterilization techniques and effective team coordination. My expertise in Dental Assisting, leadership and commitment to infection control have significantly improved operational efficiency and patient satisfaction, positioning me as a key contributor to dental health excellence.
Developed skills in clinical dental environment, including patient care, dental procedures, and office management. Demonstrated ability to maintain high level of organization and attention to detail, ensuring smooth operations and patient satisfaction. Seeking to transition into new field, leveraging these skills to contribute effectively in dynamic setting.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dental Assistant Supervisor
Fort Defiance Indian Health Board
07.2016 - Current
- Operated sterilization equipment to maintain hygiene and compliance standards.
- Used digital radiography software to capture and analyze dental images for diagnostics.
- Performed fluoride treatments, enhancing patient tooth strength and decay resistance.
- Utilized intraoral cameras to document patient conditions for treatment planning.
- Prepared examination rooms by setting up instruments and materials.
- 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.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- 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.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- 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.
- Supported dentists during oral surgeries by preparing surgical rooms with necessary tools and sterilized instruments.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.
- Participated in community outreach programs, educating public on importance of dental health.
- Conducted inventory management to maintain essential supplies, avoiding procedural delays.
- Collaborated with dental team to develop treatment plans, ensuring patient needs were met comprehensively.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dental office, creating welcoming atmosphere for patients.
- Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
- Trained staff on best practices to enhance service delivery.
- Conducted performance reviews to support employee development.
- Coordinated cross-functional projects to achieve organizational goals.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Resolved conflicts among team members promptly, maintaining a harmonious working environment conducive to productivity.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Oversaw compliance with industry regulations and company policies, ensuring safe and legal operational environment.
Advanced Dental Assistant EF
Fort Defiance Indian Health Board
05.1993 - Current
- Performed fluoride treatments, enhancing patient tooth strength and decay resistance.
- Prepared examination rooms by setting up instruments and materials.
- Used digital radiography software to capture and analyze dental images for diagnostics.
- Operated sterilization equipment to maintain hygiene and compliance 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.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.
- Participated in community outreach programs, educating public on importance of dental health.
- Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
Education
Certificate - Community Dental Health Coodinator
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM08-2016
Ceritficate - Dental Assistant
Pime Medical Institute
Albuquerque, NM09-1992
High School Diploma -
Navajo Pine High School
Navajo, NM05-1988
Skills
- Dental impressions
- Dental radiography
- Digital X-ray proficiency
- Equipment sterilization
- Sterilization techniques
- X-ray processing
- Appointment scheduling
- Professionalism and etiquet
- Cross-training capabilities
- Infection control proficiency
- Oral Patient hygiene education
- Dental material handling
- Electronic charting with Dentrix
- Knowledgeable in RPMS, Dentrix,
- HIPAA compliance
- Infection control procedures
- Teamwork, collaboration and customer service
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Basic and Complex Restorative certified
Accomplishments
- Mentored over 4 dental assistants and 1 Medical Support Assistant
- Supervised team of 5 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 5 in the development of Outreach Prevention Activities with the local schools, senior citizen centers and local health fairs.
- Collaboration with other departments within the Nahata'Dziil Clinic.
- Outstanding communication
Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- NM Driver's License
- Basic Restorative Certified
- Advance Restorative EF Certified
- Clinical Competency in Radiology Certified
- Certificate Competency in Dental Assistant Periodontal
- Certificant Competency in Composite Only Restorative EF
Languages
Navajo/Dine'
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Dental Assistant Supervisor
Fort Defiance Indian Health Board
07.2016 - Current
Advanced Dental Assistant EF
Fort Defiance Indian Health Board
05.1993 - Current
- CPR/AED Certification
- NM Driver's License
- Basic Restorative Certified
- Advance Restorative EF Certified
- Clinical Competency in Radiology Certified
- Certificate Competency in Dental Assistant Periodontal
- Certificant Competency in Composite Only Restorative EF
Certificate - Community Dental Health Coodinator
Central New Mexico Community College
Ceritficate - Dental Assistant
Pime Medical Institute
High School Diploma -
Navajo Pine High School
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