Linda Owens
Leeds,AL
Summary
Driven Dental Assistant successful at building relationships with patients and colleagues. Offers expertise in patient care and education to support optimal oral health outcomes. Attentive and prepared professional dedicated to practice growth and stability.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Assistant
Dr.Rolle
Birmingham , AL
01.2023 - Current
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations of the practice.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Fabricated temporary crowns or bridges from impressions taken by the dentist.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Utilized automated washers to sterilize instruments and prevent cross-infection between patients.
- Assisted dentist during examinations by retracting patient's cheeks and tongue.
- Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
- Created dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Checked with participants throughout procedures to help alleviate anxiety.
Dental Assistant
Comfort Plus Family Dental
Birmingham , AL
01.2013 - 04.2025
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations of the practice.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Fabricated temporary crowns or bridges from impressions taken by the dentist.
Dental Assistant Instructor
Vadelay
Birmingham, Alabama
08.2018 - 02.2019
- Organized guest lectures from industry professionals to introduce new concepts or technologies into the curriculum.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to students throughout their studies to help them reach their goals.
- Participated in committees responsible for making decisions about curriculum design or program accreditation standards.
- Supervised student externships at offsite locations providing feedback on their performance.
- Offered individual assistance to struggling learners within the class setting or one-on-one sessions outside of class time.
- Facilitated group discussions that encouraged collaboration between classmates while promoting diversity in thought processes.
- Developed and implemented course curriculum to ensure students had the necessary knowledge to become successful dental assistants.
- Maintained a safe learning environment by monitoring student performance during labs and clinicals.
- Demonstrated proper techniques for infection control, sterilization, chair side procedures, patient management, and laboratory skills.
- Instructed on topics such as dental anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, radiology, restorative dentistry and office practice.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students by assigning challenging projects related to dental assisting topics.
- Assisted in the preparation of materials for lectures, presentations, and demonstrations.
- Researched best practices for teaching adults in a postsecondary setting utilizing appropriate adult learning theories.
- Collaborated with other instructors within the department on developing innovative teaching methods.
- Conducted regular assessments of student progress through quizzes and exams.
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental
Bessemer, AL
05.2013 - 05.2015
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations of the practice.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Fabricated temporary crowns or bridges from impressions taken by the dentist.
- Prepared injection syringes for use in various dental procedures according to protocol standards.
- Developed X-rays using digital imaging technology and processed them in accordance with safety regulations.
- Performed administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records.
- Instructed patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and post-operative care.
- Monitored patient progress throughout their visit to ensure a positive outcome from treatments provided.
- Ensured that all necessary supplies were available for each procedure.
- Educated patients on preventive oral health care practices such as brushing and flossing techniques.
- Actively participated in team meetings to discuss workflow strategies for improving productivity.
- Implemented infection control policies when preparing treatment areas or disposing of hazardous waste materials.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient visits, treatments rendered, and payments received.
- Assisted with the setup of treatment rooms and sterilization of instruments.
- Served as a liaison between the dentist's office and insurance companies for verifying coverage information.
- Provided feedback to the dentist regarding any observed changes in a patient's condition during treatment sessions.
- Tracked inventory levels of dental materials, tools, and equipment to ensure sufficient stock was always available.
- Provided chairside assistance to dentists during dental procedures.
- Adhered to all applicable laws related to HIPAA compliance for protecting patient confidentiality.
- Maintained patient charts, including medical histories, medications, and allergies.
- Assisted in the training of new dental assistants by providing guidance on protocols and processes.
- Created dental x-rays using traditional and digital methods to help dentists detect tooth decay, cavities and other issues needing to be treated.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Positioned patients for treatment by making chair adjustments and prepared necessary equipment for procedures.
- Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
- Passed instruments to dentist, gently sprayed water, suctioned fluids and mixed materials to support dentists during procedures.
- Assisted dentists in permanent and temporary restorative procedures, applied dental fillings, placed temporary crowns and seated permanent crowns.
- Escorted patients to exam rooms while making friendly conversation to prepare for cleanings and procedures.
- Followed dentists' directions for giving patients desensitizing agents to prepare for anesthetic administration.
- Stocked and prepared exam and treatment rooms by setting up required instruments, tools, supplies and equipment.
- Produced opposing models, study casts and impressions to provide dentists with information on relationship between teeth, gums, and dental arches.
- Laid out dental instruments and equipment before procedures.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Took preliminary impressions of patient teeth to prepare for custom impressions and fabrication of permanent dental work.
- Prepared patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental examinations and procedures to boost efficiency and calm nervous patients.
- Utilized automated washers to sterilize instruments and prevent cross-infection between patients.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.
- Applied sealants and protective coatings to teeth to protect enamel and prevent cavities.
- Educated patients on techniques to optimize oral hygiene, control plaque and protect teeth and gums.
- Assisted dentist during examinations by retracting patient's cheeks and tongue.
- Checked with participants throughout procedures to help alleviate anxiety.
- Documented patient records with procedures performed and added notes taken to charts.
- Explained dental services and payment plans to help patients make informed decisions.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Performed basic laboratory tasks, such as pouring impressions and trimming models.
- Updated patient records with new data and treatment information.
- Selected and prepared tools used for procedures by sanitizing and arranging.
- Exposed dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Gathered and documented patient medical and dental histories and vital signs.
Dental Assistant
Cumberland Dental
Birmingham , AL
08.2011 - 05.2013
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations of the practice.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Fabricated temporary crowns or bridges from impressions taken by the dentist.
Dental Assistant
Dr.Mell James Dobbs
Hoover, Alabama
05.1997 - 02.2007
- Ordered supplies necessary for daily operations of the practice.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Fabricated temporary crowns or bridges from impressions taken by the dentist.
Education
Medical Billing And Coding -
Ultimate Medical Academy
Clearwater, FL11-2018
Dental Assistant Certification - Dental Assisting
Astrodome Dental Career Center
Houston,Texas01-1991
GED -
Plano HighSchool
Plano, TX01-1981
Skills
- Patient education
- Infection control
- Digital radiography
- Chairside assistance
- Supply management
- Dental impressions
- Record keeping
- Treatment preparation
- Sterilization techniques
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Oral health education
- Chair-side support
- Stress management techniques
- Dental terminology
- Pediatric dental care
- Proficient in Easy Dental
- Dental impression specialist
- Sanitation protocols
- Strong writing and verbal skills
- Exam room setups
- Oral surgery
- Digital X-ray proficiency
- Appointment scheduling
- Instrument selection
- Restorative dentistry support
- Equipment sterilization
- Infection control proficiency
- HIPAA compliance
- Orthodontic procedure support
- Laboratory case management
- Oral surgery assistance
- Clinical support
- Procedure support
- Endodontic procedure assistance
- Oral X-rays
- Patient scheduling
Languages
German
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Dental Assistant
Dr.Rolle
01.2023 - Current
Dental Assistant Instructor
Vadelay
08.2018 - 02.2019
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental
05.2013 - 05.2015
Dental Assistant
Comfort Plus Family Dental
01.2013 - 04.2025
Dental Assistant
Cumberland Dental
08.2011 - 05.2013
Dental Assistant
Dr.Mell James Dobbs
05.1997 - 02.2007
Medical Billing And Coding -
Ultimate Medical Academy
Dental Assistant Certification - Dental Assisting
Astrodome Dental Career Center
GED -
Plano HighSchool