Makena Diaz
Registered Dental Hygienist
Orono,ME
Summary
I am a current dental hygiene student applying for licensure upon graduation in May of 2024. With seven years of dental assisting experience, I am ready to embark on a new chapter with a fulfilling career as a dental hygienist. I am proficient in a wide range of dental procedures and varying positions within the dental office. I am excited to perform thorough dental cleanings, conduct patient assessments, and deliver personalized oral hygiene education. Throughout my dental career, I have always been dedicated to providing compassionate care and building trusting relationships with patients. I am committed to staying current on the latest advancements in dental hygiene practices and technologies. I hope to leverage both my dental assisting expertise and newly acquired dental hygiene skills to deliver exceptional patient care and contribute positively to the dental team.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Dental Assistant
Hammond Street Dental
Bangor, ME
05.2023 - 10.2023
- Responsibilities included assisting the dentist with a range of procedures such as crown preparations, composite restorations, seat crowns, comprehensive exams, and problem-focused exams, capturing a variety of radiographs, using a CEREC scanner and milling machine, properly and thoroughly sterilizing instruments, breaking down and setting up all procedure rooms, assisting hygienists with sealants, patient charting, and operating Open Dental software.
Dental Assistant
Gentle Family Dentistry Winslow
Winslow, ME
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Responsibilities include assisting the dentists with a range of procedures such as crown preparations, extractions, implants, composite restorations, seat crowns, comprehensive exams, and problem-focused exams, capturing a variety of radiographs, properly and thoroughly sterilizing instruments, taking alginate impressions, fabricating temporary crowns, breaking down and setting up of all procedure rooms, assisting hygienists with sealants, patient charting, and operating Dentrix
- Also cross-trained as a receptionist with the responsibilities of patient care coordination, answering phone calls, scheduling patients, taking payments, accurately giving estimates, and explaining insurance details.
Dental Assistant
BENCHMARK DENTAL, Heer, DMD
Farmington, ME
01.2017 - 08.2022
- Responsibilities included training student dentists in their externships, taking the lead in teaching new assistants, assisting the dentists with a range of procedures such as crown preparations, extractions, composite restorations, seat crowns, comprehensive exams, and problem-focused exams, capturing a variety of radiographs, properly and thoroughly sterilizing instruments, taking alginate impressions, pouring and trimming stone models, fabricating various mouth-guards & night-guards, breaking down and setting up of all procedure rooms, assisting hygienists with sealants, patient charting, and operating
- Dentrix.
Orthodontic Assistant
Androscoggin Orthodontics, Dr. TJ Bauer, DDS
Auburn, ME
04.2018 - 06.2022
- Responsibilities include assisting the orthodontist with a variety of orthodontic procedures including bonding brackets, fitting palate expanders and retainers, fabricating pontics, inserting or changing archwires, removing or applying o-ties, properly and thoroughly sterilizing instruments, capturing alginate impressions or 3D scans, pouring and trimming stone models, breaking down and setting up of procedure rooms, managing patient comfort, and dealing with many pediatric appointments or other difficult situations
- Also cross-trained as a front-office receptionist where responsibilities include answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, and managing accounts and ledgers.
Education
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
University of Maine At Augusta - Bangor
Bangor, Maine 01.2021 - 05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
University of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME 01.2021 - Current
Skills
- Dexis Experience (7 years)
- Social Media Management
- Orthodontic Knowledge (6 years)
- Dentrix
- Front Desk & Reception
- Chairside Assisting
- Infection Control
- Laboratory Experience
- HIPAA Knowledge
- Four-Handed Procedures
- Radiology Safety
- Sealant Application
- Instrument Sterilization
Certification
- Maine Registered Dental Hygienist - Applying for licensure upon program graduation in May of 2024
- CDCA Local Anesthesia Certification - Applying for licensure upon program graduation in May of 2024
- CPR Certification / BLS Certification
- CDCA Nitrous Oxide Certification - Applying for licensure upon program graduation in May of 2024
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeImportant To Me
Work-life balanceHealthcare benefitsPaid sick leave401k matchPaid time offVolunteer Work
- Dental Club President - University of Maine at Augusta - Bangor Dental Health Programs, 2022-2024
- Volunteer Cook - Ronald McDonald House, 2022 & 2023
- Dental Health Volunteer - Special Olympics Maine, 2023
Public Health Work
- University of Maine at Augusta - Bangor Dental Health Programs, Lewiston Clinic; Rotations in 2023-2024
- Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry - Augusta, ME; Rotations in 2023-2024
Timeline
Dental Assistant
Hammond Street Dental
05.2023 - 10.2023
Dental Assistant
Gentle Family Dentistry Winslow
05.2023 - 08.2023
Associate of Science - Dental Hygiene
University of Maine At Augusta - Bangor
01.2021 - 05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Dental Hygiene
University of Maine At Augusta
01.2021 - Current
Orthodontic Assistant
Androscoggin Orthodontics, Dr. TJ Bauer, DDS
04.2018 - 06.2022
Dental Assistant
BENCHMARK DENTAL, Heer, DMD
01.2017 - 08.2022