Katie Willis
KOKOMO
Summary
Dedicated and thorough Expanded Functions Dental Assistant and CDA. Highly self motivated, and perform at high levels consistently. I am committed to continuing my skills and knowledge in the dental field and aiming those skills more towards admin/remote work as I try to move away from the clinical aspect of the field. Proven ability to build and maintain successful relationships, and communicate both professionally and effectively. I work tirelessly to complete tasks not only on time, but strive to work ahead. Intentionality with responsibility. I take my work very seriously, and want to do my best at all times.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Miller Family Dental Care
Kokomo, IN
04.2024 - 04.2026
- Assisted in performing restorative procedures, ensuring patient comfort and adherence to safety protocols.
- Prepared treatment rooms and sterilized instruments, promoting a clean and organized environment.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene practices, enhancing their understanding of dental care importance.
- Managed patient records efficiently, maintaining accuracy and confidentiality in compliance with regulations.
- Pre-authorized treatment and presented to patient.
- Checked for insurance eligibility and input data for breakdown information.
- Sent claims along with attachments, narrative, etc.
- Placed and restored resin restorations
- Prepared dental fixed dental prosthesis for cementation
- Placed chairside reline material
- resilient liners in removable implant retained overdentures.
- Adjusted partials and dentures for patient comfort
- Scheduling patients
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Heartland Dental, Perfect Smiles
Kokomo, IN
08.2022 - 02.2024
- Collaborated with dental team to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to patient needs.
- Executed radiographic imaging procedures, adhering to safety guidelines for optimal diagnostic results.
- Supported front office operations by scheduling appointments and handling patient inquiries professionally.
- Implemented inventory management strategies for dental supplies, reducing waste and ensuring availability of materials.
- Checked patient's out, sending claims to insurance; batching claims, and taking payment
- Worked with DIM (Dental Implant Machine) triaging patient's interested in dental implant retained prostheses. Secured initial appointment , and walked with patient's every step of the way from the initial contact, to their first appointment and through treatment if they chose to accept the treatment plan from the Doctor.
- Placed and finished resin restorations, all classes; scanned with iTero, fabricated temp crowns
- Hygiene assisting, i.e. coronal polishing, patient education, treatment planning
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Springmill Family Dental
Westfield, IN
10.2020 - 06.2021
- Contributed to a positive patient experience by effectively addressing concerns and answering questions about dental treatments.
- Applied fluoride varnish and sealants.
- Supported dentist during oral surgeries, ensuring proper instrument preparation and sterilization procedures were followed.
- Built strong rapport with patients through empathetic communication skills, fostering trust in dental care providers.
- Performed admin tasks, scheduling patients; taking payment, sending claims, etc
- Placed and restored resin restorations
- Placed resin attachments for Invisalign
- iTero use; temporary crown fabrication
- Patient education
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Indiana Health Centers, Inc
Kokomo, IN
06.2016 - 10.2020
- Skillfully managed dental emergencies, stabilizing patients and coordinating appropriate follow-up care.
- Increased efficiency in the dental office by assisting with chairside duties such as taking impressions and fabricating temporary crowns.
- Expanded knowledge of dental techniques and advancements by attending continuing education courses, applying new learnings to daily practice.
- Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols, safeguarding the health of patients and staff.
- Placed and restored amalgam and resin restorations
- Retrieved patient inquiries; triaging
- Office-office communication
- referrals
- Insurance verifications; especially with medicaid plans . Knowing what is covered, and at what the coverage exists
- Ordering supplies
- Coronal polising
- Conducted pre-operative assessments of patients'' medical history to minimize risks associated with anesthesia administration during dental procedures.
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Bennett and Jones Dental Care
Kokomo, IN
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans for patients with diverse needs.
- Set up and assisted with implant procedures
- Scanned using Cerec technology
- Designed and milled emax crowns
- placed and finished resin restorations
- coronal polishing
- scheduling
- Improved patient satisfaction with meticulous attention to detail in taking dental impressions and fabricating temporary crowns.
- Optimized inventory management, ensuring availability of necessary dental supplies and reducing wastage.
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Dr. Byron Cohee, DDS
Peru, IN
08.2011 - 04.2015
- Assisted dentists in complex procedures, ensuring efficient and high-quality treatment outcomes.
- Assisted in coronal polishing.
- Optimized inventory management by maintaining accurate records of supplies and equipment usage, minimizing waste, and ordering necessary materials in a timely manner.
- Ensured smooth operation of dental practice by performing routine maintenance on equipment, identifying issues early on to prevent costly repairs.
- Managed patient records with attention to detail, updating medical histories and inputting relevant information into the practice management software system.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling and management, reducing wait times and improving patient satisfaction.
- Provided comprehensive oral hygiene education for patients, promoting long-term dental health.
- Fostered a welcoming and calming environment for patients by maintaining orderliness and cleanliness in all treatment areas.
- Facilitated seamless coordination between front office staff and clinical team members by serving as a liaison for scheduling matters.
- Improved patient understanding of dental procedures and aftercare instructions through clear and concise explanations.
- Placed and finished alloy and resin restorations
- Fabricated temporary crowns
- Scheduling
Education
Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
Institute, WVNo Degree - Criminal Justice
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, INAssociate of Applied Science - Dental Assisting
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Kokomo05-2011
Skills
- Restorative procedures
- Temporary crown fabrication
- Sealant application
- Patient care excellence
- Scheduling
- Professional Communication
- Billing/claims
- Insurance knowledge
- Strong knowledge of CDT codes and dental procedures
Certification
- Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries
- Certified Dental Assistant as recognized by the Dental Assisting National Board
- Coronal polishing and fluoride application
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Miller Family Dental Care
04.2024 - 04.2026
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Heartland Dental, Perfect Smiles
08.2022 - 02.2024
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Springmill Family Dental
10.2020 - 06.2021
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Indiana Health Centers, Inc
06.2016 - 10.2020
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Bennett and Jones Dental Care
04.2015 - 06.2016
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Dr. Byron Cohee, DDS
08.2011 - 04.2015
Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Indiana University-Kokomo
Associate of Applied Science - Dental Assisting
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana