- I like working with my hands and fixing things
- Drawing and Painting
Lori McElrath
Calhoun,GA
Summary
Dynamic Expanded Duties Dental Assistant with a proven track record at Calhoun Family Dentistry, excelling in patient care and infection control. Skilled in dental radiography and fostering team collaboration, I enhanced clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction through effective communication and tailored treatment plans, ensuring high-quality dental experiences for diverse patient populations. I did all steps of dentures and partials from start to finish, I seated all crowns and bridges then Dr. Merredy would check the x-rays before they left.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
Calhoun Family Dentistry
11.2021 - 05.2025
- Prepared treatment rooms for examinations and procedures efficiently.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and post-treatment care instructions.
- Collaborated with dentists to develop patient treatment plans and follow-up schedules.
- Maintained accurate patient records and updated charts in electronic health systems.
- Implemented workflow improvements that enhanced clinic efficiency and reduced wait times.
- Provided exceptional chairside assistance for various restorative procedures, affording dentists the ability to work more efficiently.
- Increased patient satisfaction by delivering gentle, empathetic, and thorough dental care.
- Contributed to increased production within the practice by performing routine tasks such as taking impressions or fabricating temporary crowns when necessary.
- Adapted to a variety of dental software systems, enabling seamless integration into new practices as necessary.
- Facilitated seamless communication between patients and dentists by acting as an effective liaison during appointments.
- Assisted dentists in complex procedures, ensuring safe and successful outcomes for patients.
- Managed complex cases involving multiple providers by coordinating appointments and sharing important information among team members.
- Supported dentists in developing customized treatment plans that addressed each patient''s unique needs and concerns.
- Prepared examination rooms with appropriate instruments, materials, and equipment before each appointment to optimize workflow efficiency within the practice.
- Improved practice efficiency by maintaining accurate inventory records and reordering necessary supplies in a timely manner.
- Enhanced patient experiences by providing comprehensive oral care and utilizing advanced dental equipment.
- Applied fluoride varnish and sealants.
- Assisted in coronal polishing.
- Took [Number] x-rays per week
- Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
- Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Designed dental report card to explain patient dental health status and treatment plans.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
- Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
- Prepared patient X-rays and images for review by dentist.
- Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
- Entered patient data into computer system, adhering to strict privacy laws and maintaining high level of accuracy.
- Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
- Measured and recorded vital statistics by taking patients' blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, [Type], casts and impressions.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
Adairsville Family Dentistry
07.2009 - 09.2016
- Assisted in patient care and comfort during dental procedures.
- Managed sterilization of instruments and equipment to ensure safety standards.
- Trained new staff on office protocols, infection control, and equipment usage.
- Streamlined dental records management by accurately updating patient files following each appointment, ensuring all relevant information was easily accessible for future reference.
- Collaborated with office staff to streamline billing processes, resulting in improved revenue collection rates.
- Conducted thorough dental assessments to identify potential issues early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment planning.
- Reduced patient wait times through efficient appointment scheduling and organization of dental procedures.
- Maintained strict compliance with infection control protocols to ensure a safe environment for both patients and staff.
- Developed strong relationships with patients of all ages through consistent provision of high-quality care tailored to individual requirements.
- Assisted with emergency cases promptly, ensuring prompt attention to urgent dental concerns while minimizing disruption to existing appointments.
- Enhanced collaborative efforts between administrative personnel and clinical staff by actively participating in team meetings and sharing valuable feedback on practice operations.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, contributing to better overall dental health outcomes.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
- Took [Number] x-rays per week.
- Exposed, developed and mounted dental x-rays.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Prepared treatment rooms for examinations and procedures efficiently.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene practices and post-treatment care instructions.
- Collaborated with dentists to develop patient treatment plans and follow-up schedules.
- Maintained accurate patient records and updated charts in electronic health systems.
- Implemented workflow improvements that enhanced clinic efficiency and reduced wait times.
- Provided exceptional chairside assistance for various restorative procedures, affording dentists the ability to work more efficiently.
- Increased patient satisfaction by delivering gentle, empathetic, and thorough dental care.
- Contributed to increased production within the practice by performing routine tasks such as taking impressions or fabricating temporary crowns when necessary.
- Adapted to a variety of dental software systems, enabling seamless integration into new practices as necessary.
- Facilitated seamless communication between patients and dentists by acting as an effective liaison during appointments.
- Prepared examination rooms with appropriate instruments, materials, and equipment before each appointment to optimize workflow efficiency within the practice.
- Improved practice efficiency by maintaining accurate inventory records and reordering necessary supplies in a timely manner.
- Enhanced patient experiences by providing comprehensive oral care and utilizing advanced dental equipment.
- Applied fluoride varnish and sealants.
- Assisted in coronal polishing.
- Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
- Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
Lead Dental Assistant
Dr. Richard Smith
01.1989 - 07.2009
- Supervised clinical procedures, ensuring compliance with safety and infection control protocols.
- Trained and mentored junior dental assistants on best practices and patient care techniques.
- Optimized scheduling processes to enhance operational efficiency and reduce patient wait times.
- Collaborated with dentists to develop treatment plans and ensure accurate patient records management.
- Implemented inventory management systems for dental supplies, reducing waste and improving stock levels.
- Facilitated effective communication between patients and the dental team to enhance patient satisfaction rates.
- Led quality assurance initiatives to improve service delivery and maintain high standards of care.
- Developed training materials for onboarding new staff, streamlining integration into practice workflows.
- Managed inventory of dental supplies, minimizing waste while ensuring necessary resources were readily available for all procedures.
- Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
- Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Assisted dentists in various procedures, ensuring accurate treatment delivery and high-quality patient care.
- Developed strong relationships with patients, fostering a welcoming environment that encouraged return visits.
- Mentored junior dental assistants, sharing valuable knowledge to strengthen the overall quality of the team''s performance.
- Reduced wait times by effectively managing exam room turnover between appointments, minimizing downtime for both staff members and patients alike.
Education
High School Diploma -
Calhoun High School
Calhoun, GA06-1985
Skills
- Patient care excellence
- Equipment maintenance know-how
- Temporary crown fabrication
- Dental radiography expertise
- Infection control proficiency
- Pediatric dentistry
- Geriatric dental care
- Team collaboration aptitude
- Restorative procedures assistance
- Periodontal treatment support
- Endodontic therapy aid
- Dental charting accuracy
- Oral surgery assisting
- Oral prophylaxis
- Nitrous oxide administration
- Sterilization techniques mastery
- Caries prevention education
- Dental materials selection
- Special needs patients experience
- Digital dental records management
- Sealant application skill
- Local anesthesia support
- Patient communication
- Infection control protocols
- Physical examination
Accomplishments
- Achieved my EDDA certificate in 2014 by completing with accuracy and efficiency.
- Supervised team of 3 staff members for Adairsville Family Dentistry assistants and hygeine if needed to help keep them on schdule.
- Achieved CPR by completing Basic life support with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
I have been certified EDDA since 2014, before then I did everything the dentists I worked for wanted me to do. I'm self taught hands on by Dr. Richard Smith in 1989 till 2009 and learned as I went to do digital xrays, computer skill such as Dentrix and Dexis for digital xrays. Im healthy and I'm a fast learner and good with my hands.
Interests
Timeline
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
Calhoun Family Dentistry
11.2021 - 05.2025
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
Adairsville Family Dentistry
07.2009 - 09.2016
Lead Dental Assistant
Dr. Richard Smith
01.1989 - 07.2009
High School Diploma -
Calhoun High School