MARGUERITE CUNNINGHAM
CALEDONIA,WI
Summary
Lead Dental Assistant at Marquette University with ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate on complex treatment plans, ensuring high-quality care and patient experiences.
Experienced with chairside assisting, patient care, and dental procedures; utilizes effective communication and organizational skills to ensure smooth clinic operations. Track record of maintaining high standards of sterilization and patient safety protocols.
Professional with proven track record in dental assisting, equipped to lead and optimize dental operations; skilled in patient care, chairside assistance, and dental radiography.
Dental professional with 30+ years of experience in patient care and clinic operations; known for reliability, adaptability, and strong focus on teamwork and achieving clinical excellence.
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Dental Assistant
Marquette University
05.2012 - Current
- 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.
- Recorded vital statistics, dental and health histories.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- 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.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
- Reduced wait times by effectively managing exam room turnover between appointments, minimizing downtime for both staff members and patients alike.
- Ensured strict adherence to infection control protocols, maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment for both staff and patients.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing thorough explanations of dental procedures and answering questions with patience.
- Conducted routine maintenance on dental equipment, prolonging the life span of costly tools and instruments essential for daily operations.
- Acted as a liaison between patients and dental specialists, streamlining the referral process and fostering seamless continuity of care.
- Prepared rooms for patient treatment by cleaning and sterilizing tools and equipment and setting up x-ray machines.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
- Assisted in marketing efforts to attract new patients, showcasing the practice''s commitment to top-notch oral health care services.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices within the field of dentistry.
- Collaborated with other dental professionals to formulate comprehensive treatment plans for complex cases.
- Coordinated continuing education courses for colleagues within the practice, further enhancing the clinical skills of each team member.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
Receptionist/Dental Assistant
King Family Dental
05.2008 - 08.2011
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Streamlined front desk operations for increased efficiency by effectively managing phone calls, emails, and walk-in clients.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry and cosmetic procedures.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
Education
Dental Hygiene
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WISkills
- Infection control proficiency
- Patient charting
- Endodontic procedures
- Dental radiography
- Oral surgery
- Oral hygiene education
- Digital X-ray
- Sealant application
- Prosthodontics experience
- Team collaboration
- Orthodontic support
- Restorative procedures
- Dental impression specialist
- Fluoride treatments
- Restorative dentistry
- Dental appliance fabrication
- Pediatric dentistry
- Electronic charting
- Prophylaxis
- Nitrous oxide administration
- Periodontics
- Patient schedule management
- Four-handed procedures
- First aid training
- Inventory management
- Complex Problem-solving
- X-ray processing
- Regulatory compliance
- OSHA regulations
Timeline
Lead Dental Assistant
Marquette University
05.2012 - Current
Receptionist/Dental Assistant
King Family Dental
05.2008 - 08.2011
Dental Hygiene
Gateway Technical College