Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Helen Tanaka

Helen Tanaka

Hayward,United States

Summary

My name is Helen Tanaka, and I've been a part of the dental industry since the year 2000. Over the years, I've earned various certifications and honed my expertise. I hold two certifications from the National Board of Certification for Dental Technology, specializing in Complete Dentures and Implants. My educational journey includes studying Dental Technology at Riverside Community College, Dental Sleep Medicine at the Pankey Institute, Neuromuscular bite technique at the Las Vegas Institute, and Occlusion and function at the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Studies. I have a keen interest in occlusal theory and have recently delved into the world of digital dental technology. I've had the privilege of working in an "in-office setting" alongside an oral surgeon and three Prosthodontists, specializing in All-on-X and Overdentures. Throughout my career, I've managed and trained teams of various sizes at institutions like Clear Choice, MicroDental, Panda Dental Labs, and TDL Smile Creations. I also played a significant role in the successful launch of the MicrO2 at Microdental, which later evolved into what is now known as Pro Somnus. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new destinations through travel, and expanding my knowledge in fields like tax law and art. I find amusement parks, dancing, and going to the movies as some of my favorite ways to unwind and enjoy life.

Work History

Implant specialist

Arklign dental
08.2024
  • Played a key role in dental conferences and exhibitions, representing the organization
  • Conducted chairside conversions and trained doctors in chairside pick up techniques, enhancing service quality
  • Researched and developed new products, contributing to the company's growth
  • Created SOPs for the Asia team, ensuring consistency and quality
  • Answered queries and trained our global team, promoting a collaborative work environment
  • Refined dental implant processes, increasing procedural efficiency
  • Pioneered unique dental product designs, boosting market competitiveness
  • Mentored new staff in implant techniques, fostering team expertise

Team Lead

Microdental
04.2022 - 08.2023
  • Directed removable team at Microdental, fostering collaboration and innovation
  • Implemented training programs for team members, enhancing skill sets and productivity
  • Managed customer relations, ensuring satisfaction and repeat business
  • Oversaw digital design reviews, ensuring quality and precision
  • Streamlined project workflows, enhancing team output by 20% through effective management
  • Pioneered digital design review processes, boosting precision and quality standards
  • Developed training initiatives that significantly enhanced team skills and productivity
  • Trained on code diagnostics for stackable surgical planning
  • Managed the selection and setup of denture teeth, enhancing try-in efficiency
  • Conducted chairside conversion services, improving patient experience
  • Invested and processed denture and flexible cases, ensuring high-quality outcomes
  • Polished dentures and partials to perfection, improving product finish
  • Guaranteed delivery of high-quality dental prosthetics, boosting patient satisfaction rates
  • Managed denture fabrication, ensuring precise tooth mold selection and high-quality finishes
  • Efficiently delivered chairside conversion services, enhancing patient satisfaction and turnaround
  • Implemented advanced techniques in denture processing, elevating product quality and durability

Certified Dental Technician

California Dental Arts
07.2021 - 04.2022
  • Implemented advanced techniques in denture processing, elevating product quality and durability
  • Demonstrated innovative problem-solving in developing new workflows
  • Exhibited strong leadership and collaboration in team training and mentorship
  • Achieved significant improvements in lab efficiency and patient outcomes
  • Optimized lab operations through data-driven performance metrics
  • Maintained meticulous oversight of lab protocols, ensuring top-tier precision in dental fabrications
  • Fostered a nurturing environment that enhanced team skills and morale, boosting lab productivity
  • Leveraged data analysis to refine dental lab processes, significantly reducing project turnaround times
  • Fabrication of FP3 style bridges
  • Converted the immediate dentures into FP3 screw retained bridge
  • Set up according to drs RX
  • Wax up
  • Mount cases using face bow and fox plate transfer plate
  • Process Immediate and FP3 Finals
  • Took care of shipping and receiving
  • Quality checked the fixed work that came in

Dental Lab Manager/ Certified Lab Tech

ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
05.2019 - 06.2021

Sr. Technical Rep

MICRODENTAL LABORATORIES
08.2012 - 03.2017
  • I worked with Doctors to case plan the more complex cases such as combination cases, or implant cases, flexible cases
  • I was responsible for troubleshooting problems
  • I would work with the team to communicate the individual case plan
  • I would make sure the correct restorative material was being used for the space/ margin style allowed
  • I was responsible for the final quality inspection of the restorative appliances/ restorations
  • I was responsible for handling customer service/relations
  • When we rolled out the new all digital sleep appliance I educated clients on the new bite fork/technique needed for the appliance
  • I co managed the sleep appliance team members, gave performance reviews, handled scheduling, aided in the hiring process
  • Implemented advanced techniques in denture processing, elevating product quality and durability
  • Demonstrated innovative problem-solving in developing new workflows
  • Exhibited strong leadership and collaboration in team training and mentorship
  • Achieved significant improvements in lab efficiency and patient outcomes
  • Optimized lab operations through data-driven performance metrics
  • Maintained meticulous oversight of lab protocols, ensuring top-tier precision in dental fabrications
  • Fostered a nurturing environment that enhanced team skills and morale, boosting lab productivity
  • Leveraged data analysis to refine dental lab processes, significantly reducing project turnaround times

Dental Lab Manager/tech

Panda Dental Lab
09.2009 - 08.2012
  • At Panda Dental Lab I was responsible for case entry, pouring up the cases, grinding and basing the cases, duplicating cases, mounting cases, case planning , making custom trays, Making bite rims
  • Selecting the correct teeth, setting up cases, waxing cases, investing cases, boiling out and packing cases, finishing cases, polishing cases, repairs, relines hard/ soft, case design, waxing, investing, injecting and finishing and polishing flexible cases
  • Immediate dentures, duplicate dentures, making verification jigs, and surgical guides
  • I fabricated night guards of all materials
  • I fabricated essix retainers
  • I fabricated acrylic temps
  • Also fabricated stayplates
  • I was responsible for ordering all supplies, for the final quality check of cases
  • I trained employees, I expanded the business to include crown and bridge
  • I layered porcelain, contoured crowns, glazed crowns

Education

Associate - Dental Technology

Riverland Community College
Moreno Valley, CA

Skills

  • Calibration
  • Skillful
  • Laboratory Experience
  • Expert
  • Laboratory Management
  • Experienced
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • QA/QC
  • Cad cam scanning
  • Quality Inspection
  • Manufacturing
  • Case Planning
  • Customer Relations
  • Inventory Management
  • Troubleshooting
  • Digital Sleep Appliance Education
  • Team Training
  • Performance Reviews

Timeline

Implant specialist

Arklign dental
08.2024

Team Lead

Microdental
04.2022 - 08.2023

Certified Dental Technician

California Dental Arts
07.2021 - 04.2022

Dental Lab Manager/ Certified Lab Tech

ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
05.2019 - 06.2021

Sr. Technical Rep

MICRODENTAL LABORATORIES
08.2012 - 03.2017

Dental Lab Manager/tech

Panda Dental Lab
09.2009 - 08.2012

Associate - Dental Technology

Riverland Community College
Helen Tanaka