Heather Van Gemert
Magnolia,TX
Summary
Compassionate dental hygienist with expertise in patient education, periodontal therapy, and oral cancer screening. Committed to enhancing patient experiences through effective communication and individualized care plans.
Results-oriented dental hygienist with a proven track record in improving patient oral health through education and advanced preventive care techniques. Focused on enhancing patient experiences by building rapport and addressing individual needs.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Hygienist
Dentists of Magnolia
Magnolia, TX
11.2025 - 07.2026
- Conducted patient assessments to identify oral health needs and develop care plans.
- Assisted in dental cleanings and preventive care procedures to promote patient health.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-treatment care instructions.
- Maintained sterilization protocols for instruments, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Managed patient records using dental software systems for accurate documentation and tracking.
- Collaborated with dentists to streamline treatment processes and enhance patient experience.
- Adapted quickly to new technologies, improving efficiency in clinical operations.
- Provided compassionate support to patients, fostering a comfortable environment during treatments.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in Epic.
Homeschool Teacher
Self-employeed
Magnolia, TX
01.2014 - 08.2024
- Developed individualized lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and educational goals.
- Created engaging, hands-on activities to enhance understanding of core subjects including math and science.
- Implemented assessment strategies to monitor student progress and adapt teaching methods accordingly.
- Fostered a positive learning environment encouraging critical thinking and creativity among students.
- Integrated technology tools to support interactive learning experiences and facilitate remote education.
- Evaluated educational resources regularly to ensure relevance and alignment with state standards and best practices.
- Managed homeschool schedules effectively, balancing extracurricular activities with academic requirements for well-rounded development.
- Emphasized practical life skills alongside academics, preparing students for future independence and decision-making abilities.
- Researched and chose appropriate curriculum to meet children's abilities and grade levels.
- Increased student motivation by implementing engaging activities and interactive teaching techniques.
- Organized hands-on instructional activities to supplement textbook instruction to engage and motivate students.
- Adapted teaching methods and lesson plans to changing student needs.
- Supported social-emotional growth by integrating character education lessons that foster empathy, resilience and selfawareness.
- Adapted curriculum to accommodate different learning styles, ensuring all students had equal access to educational materials.
- Fostered a positive learning environment, promoting open communication and active participation among students.
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills with challenging assignments and thought-provoking discussions.
- Researched multiple curricula, methodologies and perspectives as part of educational planning.
- Integrated diverse subjects into lessons, promoting interdisciplinary connections for deeper understanding of material.
- Graded homework, quizzes, classwork and exams to report on progress of student achievements.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating real-life examples and relatable scenarios into daily lessons.
- Expanded student vocabulary with weekly word challenges, encouraging the use of new words in writing and conversation.
Dental Hygienist
Trinity Dental
Tomball, TX
01.2019 - 10.2019
- Tailored periodontal periodontal maintenance programs for patients suffering from gum disease or other related concerns.
- Improved (remove) knowledge through continuing education courses and seminars.
- Implemented effective infection control measures by sterilizing instruments and following strict protocols for cleanliness.
- Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in EagleSoft.
- Utilized advanced digital radiography techniques to capture high-quality images for diagnostic purposes.
- Promoted a welcoming environment by maintaining a clean and organized workspace, leading to increased patient satisfaction rates.
- Applied fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities in both children and adults.
- Carried out advanced dental cleaning services.
- Educated patients on the importance of oral hygiene and demonstrated techniques for flossing and brushing.
- 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.
- Polished patients' teeth to remove surface stains.
- Administered topical anesthetics to patients' gums to prepare areas being worked on.
- Fostered positive and supportive work environment, mentoring new dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist
Dr. Paul F. Woodruff DDS
Corpus Christi, TX
06.2002 - 05.2007
- Supported office administrative tasks by answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance billing inquiries.
- Captured patients' dental radiographs and provided to the dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
- Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in Eagle Soft.
- Conducted oral cancer screenings during routine dental exams, resulting in early detection of potential issues.
- Collaborated with the dental team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex conditions.
- Managed inventory of dental supplies and equipment, reducing costs through strategic purchasing decisions.
- Provided specialized care for pediatric patients, ensuring their comfort during dental visits while fostering healthy habits from an early age.
- Maintained sterile and organized treatment areas to uphold safety and hygiene standards.
- Tailored patient education material to address specific oral health concerns and promote preventive care.
- Conducted dental X-rays for diagnostic purposes, ensuring accurate treatment planning.
- Reduced instances of periodontal disease with thorough assessment and personalized treatment plans.
- Polished patients' teeth to remove surface stains.
- Administered topical anesthetics to patients' gums to prepare areas being worked on.
- Fostered positive and supportive work environment, mentoring new dental hygienists.
- Captured patients' dental radiographs and provided to the dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
Education
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX06.2002
Skills
- Ultrasonic instrumentation
- Periodontal therapy
- Oral cancer screening
- Patient relationship building
- Patient education
- Infection control
- Periodontal maintenance
- Periodontal evaluation
- Digital radiographs
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Treatment Planning
- Dental prophylaxis
- Root planing and scaling
- Dental charting
- Radiographic interpretation
- Preventive care
- Dental records
- Electronic health records
- Medical history review
- Diagnostic imaging
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Patient communication
- Instrument sterilization
- Full mouth radiographs
- Registered dental hygienist (RDH)
- Time management
- Problem-solving
Certification
BLS
Timeline
Dental Hygienist
Dentists of Magnolia
11.2025 - 07.2026
Dental Hygienist
Trinity Dental
01.2019 - 10.2019
Homeschool Teacher
Self-employeed
01.2014 - 08.2024
Dental Hygienist
Dr. Paul F. Woodruff DDS
06.2002 - 05.2007
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
Del Mar College