Jessica Hernandez
Relocating To West Virginia
Summary
With a proven track record at Southern Dental Alliance, I excel in orthodontic treatment planning and patient education, enhancing treatment compliance and outcomes. My adeptness in sterilization techniques coupled with exceptional interpersonal skills significantly boosts office efficiency and patient satisfaction, positioning me as a valuable asset to any dental team.
Positive, upbeat personality with excellent interpersonal skills and passion for patient care. Knowledge of dental procedures and proficiency in using dental tools and software. Committed to providing positive patient experience and ensuring efficient workflow in practice.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Orthodontic Dental Assistant
Southern Dental Alliance
Cartersville, GA
08.2019 - Current
- Assisted orthodontists in performing complex treatments, ensuring precise execution of tasks and high-quality results.
- Prepared dental equipment and materials for orthodontic procedures, ensuring optimal readiness for efficient appointments.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene practices to maintain healthy teeth during orthodontic treatment phases.
- Improved patient comfort by providing clear explanations and thorough instructions during orthodontic procedures.
- Upheld strict privacy protocols when handling sensitive patient information as per HIPAA regulations.
- Participated actively in office meetings and trainings to stay informed about new policies, procedures, and best practices within the practice.
Oral Surgery Assistant
Affordable Dentures & Implants
Cartersville, GA
04.2019 - 06.2020
- Minimized complications during surgery by effectively monitoring anesthesia levels under the guidance of an Oral Surgeon or Dental Anesthesiologist.
- Assisted surgeon during procedures by wiping up bodily fluids and handing over needed dental instruments.
- Educated patients prior to surgery regarding what to expect, how to treat pain and which side effects could occur.
- Prepared surgical area by ensuring that all necessary dental instruments were sterilized and patients were ready.
- Maintained a safe and clean working environment through proper sterilization of instruments and adherence to infection control protocols.
- Provided high-quality pre-surgical consultations, discussing potential risks, benefits, and alternatives with prospective patients.
Dental Receptionist
Dental Care Alliance
Orlando, FL
07.2007 - 07.2013
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Provided excellent customer service by promptly addressing patient inquiries via phone, email, or in-person interactions.
- Provided excellent customer service to create positive experiences and build patient trust.
- Communicated with insurance companies to dispute unpaid claims and verify patient coverages.
- Maintained a clean and welcoming reception area for patients, contributing to a positive dental visit experience.
- Handled sensitive situations professionally such as discussing treatment costs or past-due account balances with patients to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
- Helped patients complete necessary medical forms and documentation.
- Improved billing accuracy by diligently verifying insurance coverage and updating patient financial records accordingly.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by efficiently managing appointment scheduling and confirmations.
- Reduced wait times by quickly greeting patients upon arrival and assisting with the check-in process.
- Facilitated clear communication between dentists, dental assistants, and patients to ensure optimal care coordination.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering strong relationships with colleagues across all roles within the practice.
- Greeted visitors and patients to determine needs, check appointments, and direct accordingly.
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy.
- Managed accounts receivable duties by timely invoicing patients for services rendered while tracking payments received or outstanding balances due accurately.
- Handled patient complaints quickly and professionally to restore patient confidence and prevent loss of clientele.
- Completed new patient registrations in software to create accurate and comprehensive records.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain an organized inventory system for dental supplies and office materials.
- Understood dental terminology and insurance breakdowns to communicate with external stakeholders.
- Supported dentist in maintaining accurate documentation of treatment plans for better continuity of care between visits.
- Ensured patient privacy by adhering to all HIPAA regulations during the collection, storage, and sharing of sensitive information.
- Expedited appointment scheduling through effective utilization of office management software systems.
- Improved patient understanding and compliance with treatment plans by explaining procedures and answering questions.
Dental Assistant Instructor
Dental Care Alliance
Orlando, FL
05.2007 - 07.2013
- Reduced student attrition rates by providing personalized support and mentoring to struggling learners.
- Strengthened relationships between local dentists'' offices and our institution through effective networking efforts that led to increased externship opportunities for our students.
- Enhanced practical skills development through regular evaluation and feedback sessions for students.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current on advances in dental education, enhancing the quality of instruction provided to students.
- Prepared graduates for successful careers as dental assistants by emphasizing real-world applications of skills learned in class.
- Implemented a continuous improvement process for course materials by soliciting feedback from students and using their input to refine lectures, assignments, and assessments.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Assistant
United States Air Force
Various
03.1998 - 08.2005
- Provided compassionate care to patients throughout their surgical experience, easing anxiety and ensuring comfort.
- Arranged supplies and instrumentation to meet needs of individual surgeons and enhance team efficiency.
- Kept views unobstructed by retracting, sponging, and suctioning surgical sites.
- Assisted in complex surgical procedures, demonstrating adaptability and knowledge across multiple disciplines.
- Contributed to successful surgeries, anticipating surgeon needs and promptly delivering instruments.
- Protected patients from infection by setting up and managing sterile operating fields.
- Paid close attention to operating procedures for adherence to established surgical techniques.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing precise surgical assistance during various procedures.
- Reduced post-operative complications through thorough wound care and dressing application.
- Maintained accurate documentation of all surgical activities for record-keeping purposes and quality control analysis.
- Ensured patient safety by maintaining a sterile environment throughout surgery.
- Streamlined communication between surgeons and nurses to promote teamwork and efficient operations.
- Ensured adherence to regulatory standards by following established guidelines for infection control, waste disposal, and equipment usage.
- Gowned and gloved staff to help team prepare for surgeries.
- Provided mentorship to new Surgical Assistants in order to maintain high levels of competency within the team.
- Actively participated in daily debriefings for improved team coordination and ongoing development of best practices in the workplace.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between surgeries with efficient room turnover times.
- Participated in pre-operative consultations, offering vital input on patient conditions and surgical approach.
- Applied antiseptics and sterile dressings to cover surgical locations and boost healing.
- Assisted surgeons with critical decision-making processes during challenging cases.
- Enhanced surgical efficiency with diligent preparation and organization of operating rooms.
- Streamlined patient preparation for surgery, reducing pre-operative anxiety and improving overall patient experience.
- Bolstered surgeon performance by anticipating instrument needs and reducing procedural delays.
- Optimized inventory management of surgical supplies, ensuring availability and reducing wastage.
- Supported surgical teams in emergency situations, quickly adapting to unexpected complications and maintaining composure.
- Assisted in implementation of new surgical protocols, leading to more efficient and safer surgical practices.
- Played key role in patient education, explaining pre- and post-operative care procedures to enhance understanding and compliance.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ02.2017
Denal Assisting Certification - Dental Assisting
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL09.1998
Skills
- Orthodontic wire changes
- Orthodontic records management
- Orthodontic emergencies management
- Orthodontic treatment compliance
- Orthodontic referral management
- Interceptive orthodontics
- Orthodontic patient follow-up
- Dental impressions
- Orthodontic bracket placement
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Orthodontic appliance adjustment
- Orthodontic treatment planning
- Sterilization techniques
- Orthodontic team collaboration
- Orthodontic supply inventory
- Orthodontic patient scheduling
- Orthodontic practice management
- Orthodontic debonding procedures
- Orthodontic software proficiency
- Temporary anchorage devices
- Orthodontic case presentation
- Orthodontic appliance maintenance
- Orthodontic patient registration
- Orthodontic appointment coordination
- Orthodontic financial arrangements
- Headgear application
- Elastomeric ligature placement
- Palatal expander adjustments
Timeline
Orthodontic Dental Assistant
Southern Dental Alliance
08.2019 - Current
Oral Surgery Assistant
Affordable Dentures & Implants
04.2019 - 06.2020
Dental Receptionist
Dental Care Alliance
07.2007 - 07.2013
Dental Assistant Instructor
Dental Care Alliance
05.2007 - 07.2013
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Assistant
United States Air Force
03.1998 - 08.2005
Bachelor Of Science - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Denal Assisting Certification - Dental Assisting
Community College of The Air Force