HEATHER M HEFFRON
DuPont,WA
Summary
Skilled Dental Assistant with nine years of experience and success providing chair-side assistance to dental hygienists and dentists in fast-paced dental offices. Accurate when preparing equipment and materials for treatment, taking radiographs and educating patients. Clear communicator driven to produce ideal patient outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dental Assistant
InGenesis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
08.2023 - Current
- Maintained a clean and sterile work environment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.
- 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.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
- Scheduled appointments for new and existing customers, factoring in provider availability and scheduling loads.
Temp Dental Assistant
Charles Kim Dentristy
Tacoma, WA
04.2023 - 08.2023
- Provided chairside assistance during examinations, improving dentist efficiency and patient satisfaction.
- Increased patient retention by building rapport through excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, including orthodontic and same day crown procedures.
- 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.
Lead Dental Assistant
DOCS Dental
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
06.2022 - 03.2023
- 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.
- Assisted dentists in permanent and temporary restorative procedures, applied dental fillings, placed temporary crowns and seated permanent crowns.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Passed instruments to dentist, gently sprayed water, suctioned fluids and mixed materials to support dentists during procedures.
- Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
Dental Assistant
Children's Dentistry Of Dupont
DuPont, WA
01.2019 - 06.2022
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Educated patients on techniques to optimize oral hygiene, control plaque and protect teeth and gums.
- Checked with participants throughout procedures to help alleviate anxiety.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental examinations and procedures to boost efficiency and calm nervous patients.
- Applied sealants and protective coatings to teeth to protect enamel and prevent cavities.
- Assisted dentist with completing procedures.
Lead Dental Assistant
Bridgeport Family Dental
Lakewood, WA
09.2015 - 12.2018
- 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.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Utilized automated washers to sterilize instruments and prevent cross-infection between patients.
- Explained dental services and payment plans to help patients make informed decisions.
- Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.
Education
Registered Dental Assistant - Dental Assisting
Dental Assisting Training Center
12.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Family And Consumer Sciences
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA06.2009
Skills
- Exam room setups
- Restorative, Endo and Oral Surgery procedures
- Medical records management
- Sterilization techniques
- Taking X-rays
- Dental staff support
- Chairside assistance
- Strong writing and verbal skills
Certification
- BLS/CPR certified
Timeline
Dental Assistant
InGenesis
08.2023 - Current
Temp Dental Assistant
Charles Kim Dentristy
04.2023 - 08.2023
Lead Dental Assistant
DOCS Dental
06.2022 - 03.2023
Dental Assistant
Children's Dentistry Of Dupont
01.2019 - 06.2022
Lead Dental Assistant
Bridgeport Family Dental
09.2015 - 12.2018
Registered Dental Assistant - Dental Assisting
Dental Assisting Training Center
Bachelor of Arts - Family And Consumer Sciences
Central Washington University