Maria Jaquez
Los Angeles ,CA
Summary
Professional orthodontic assistant with significant experience in clinical and administrative tasks. Known for strong team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving results. Expertise in patient care, orthodontic procedures, and maintaining equipment. Reliable and effective in fast-paced environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Orthodontic Assistant
Vivian Lee Orthodontics
Arcadia, CA
02.2021 - 10.2024
- Helped maintain an inviting atmosphere within the office by keeping reception areas, treatment rooms, and other spaces clean and organized.
- Collaborated with orthodontists to implement new technologies and techniques, increasing efficiency and precision in orthodontic care.
- Trained new orthodontic assistants on proper techniques and protocols, ensuring consistent quality of care across
- Contributed to the expansion of practice clientele through excellent customer service and strong rapport-building skills with patients.
- Provided attentive support to patients during appointments by monitoring their comfort levels and addressing any concerns promptly.
- Provided exceptional chairside assistance during complex orthodontic procedures, minimizing patient discomfort and promoting successful outcomes.
- Assisted orthodontists with the application of braces, aligners, and other orthodontic appliances, ensuring proper placement for optimal treatment results.
- Managed detailed patient records, ensuring accurate documentation for insurance purposes and treatment followup.
- Implemented a sterilization protocol compliant with OSHA standards, ensuring a clean and safe environment for both patients and staff members.
- Improved office organization by maintaining dental equipment inventory and implementing a system for tracking supplies.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing thorough explanations of orthodontic procedures and answering questions.
- Assisted in optimizing appointment scheduling processes to maximize productivity while reducing patient wait times.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering strong teamwork among staff members and promoting open communication.
- Prepared patient for orthodontist and performed simple tasks such as tightening braces and conducting preliminary examinations.
- Took full records
- Prepped examination rooms, sterilized equipment and instruments and maintained appropriate tray setup.
- Taught patients strategies for boosting oral hygiene, controlling plaque, and protecting tooth enamel from long-term damage.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
DA-Lead Orthodontic Assistant
Kwon Orthodontics
Los Angeles/La Canada, CA
02.2014 - 08.2020
- Politely answered phones and scheduled or confirmed office appointments and surgeries
- Set up examination room and dental trays in preparation for examinations and procedures
- Successfully assist dentist by performing chair-side duties and others.
- Educated patients about proper oral hygiene and plaque control procedures
- Worked closely with patients before, during and after dental procedures
- Competently prepared dental materials including cements and composites
- Diligently cleaned instruments and work areas in accordance with sterilization and disinfectant protocol
- Maintained proper universal precautions and infection control procedures at all times
- Sterilized dental instruments. (Cold Sterile, Autoclave)
- Took impressions for retainers and appliances
- Instructed patients on dental hygiene practices such as proper tooth-brushing and flossing techniques
- Skillfully used hand instruments, ultrasonic cavitron inserts and prophy handpieces
- Quickly and thoroughly set up trays
Sales Associate
Gap Inc, Old Navy
Pasadena, CA
11.2008 - 10.2017
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Trained and developed new sales team associates in products, selling techniques and company procedures.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers and promote specific merchandise.
- TOP credit card seller in 2016
Education
Orthodontic Assisting
The Valley School For Dental Assisting
Encino, CA2017
Dental Licenses
My Denista School For Dental Assistants
Bell Gardens, CA2016
Certified Dental Assisting - Dental Assisting
East Los Angeles Occupational Center
Los Angeles, CA06.2014
High School Diploma -
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School
Pasadena, CA06.2010
Skills
- Orthodontic digital x-rays
- Accomplished in bonding
- Sterilization techniques familiarity
- Gentle patient care
- Instrumentation familiarity
- Coronal Polish (CP)
- Alginate impressions
- Dental materials knowledge
- Dental Radiography certificate
- Treatment room cleanup
- Infection control proficiency
- Detail-oriented
- Strong communication skills
- Chair side assisting
- Equipment sterilization
- Patient data gathering
- Data entry
Accomplishments
- Promoted to Lead Dental Assistant after only 2 months of employment
- MVP for 2 straight years
Certification
- Registered Orthodontic Assistant
- Ultrasonic Scaling Certification
- Infection Control
- X-Ray Certification
- Coronal Polishing
- Certified Pit and Fissure Sealants
- CPR certified
Additional Information
- Crossed Trained
- Scheduling accordingly
- Initial/Final Photos
- CBCT, Pano & Ceph
- ITero Trained Models HD 2.9 & Element. *lumina trained
- Invisalign (Attachments etc.)
- Lingual Braces (Inbrace Gen 1/2 & Spectrum system)
- Self legating brackets (Damon/AO)
- Regula/clear Traditional Braces
- Untie/Retie (Oring/PC)
- Lace
- Fitting Bands (Hyrax (RPE)/Palatal Bar)
- Cementing of Bands
- Bracket placement
- Bonding Preparation
- Removal of Arch Wires
- Marking Wires for Adjustment
- Debonding
- Impressions
- 3D Printing (Spring Ray)
- Retainers (Trutain, Fixed,Hawleys)
- Detailed Documentation
- Assisting with MARPE, TADs, Laser.
- Bilingual Spanish/English
(References available upon request)
Timeline
Lead Orthodontic Assistant
Vivian Lee Orthodontics
02.2021 - 10.2024
DA-Lead Orthodontic Assistant
Kwon Orthodontics
02.2014 - 08.2020
Sales Associate
Gap Inc, Old Navy
11.2008 - 10.2017
Orthodontic Assisting
The Valley School For Dental Assisting
Dental Licenses
My Denista School For Dental Assistants
Certified Dental Assisting - Dental Assisting
East Los Angeles Occupational Center
High School Diploma -
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School