Maria Cristina Zuniga
Santa Maria ,ca
Summary
Dedicated RDA proficient in sterilization techniques, radiography procedures, and patient education. Known for effective inventory management and maintaining a sterile environment, ensuring seamless support during dental procedures. Detail-oriented dental assistant with over 20 years of experience in patient care and dental procedures. Expertise in medical record keeping and dental software, ensuring compliance with infection control protocols and enhancing patient education. Skilled dental assistant delivering exceptional patient education and support. Proven success in managing supplies and maintaining a sterile environment, contributing to high-quality dental care and patient satisfaction. Hardworking employee with customer service, multitasking, and time management abilities. Devoted to giving every customer a positive and memorable experience. An organized and motivated individual, eager to utilize time management and organizational skills across diverse settings. Seeking entry-level opportunities to enhance abilities while contributing to company growth.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RDA
Central Coast Dental Implants Center
Santa Maria, California
09.2017 - Current
- Sterilized instruments and equipment in accordance with established protocols.
- Set up operatories with appropriate instruments for each procedure prior to patient arrival.
- Ensured that all paperwork was completed accurately prior to patient departure from office visit.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Assisted dentist in the administration of local anesthetics and nitrous oxide sedation.
- Documented all treatment plans in patient records according to office standards.
- Educated patients on post-operative instructions regarding diet, medications and activities.
- Prepared trays of instruments for dental procedures.
- Performed routine laboratory functions, including taking alginate impressions for study models.
- Monitored and recorded patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and respiration.
- Reviewed medical histories with each patient before beginning a new course of treatment.
- Maintained inventory of supplies used during treatments.
- Took intraoral radiographs using digital X-ray equipment per doctor's orders.
- Obtained informed consent forms from patients prior to performing any treatment procedure.
- Organized lab cases for dentists by tracking progress throughout production cycle until delivery back to practice.
- Fabricated provisional crowns, bleaching trays and custom impression trays from alginate impressions or stone casts when necessary.
- Instructed patients on postoperative care to protect dental work and promote healing.
- Sanitized equipment cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for the next patient.
- Supported dentist chairside with root canal and extraction procedures.
- Assist dentist with implants surgeries.
Dental Assistant
Santa Barbara Family Dentistry
Santa Maria, California
05.2009 - 09.2025
- Kept accurate records of dental treatments provided for each patient's visit.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and habits.
- Greeted patients upon arrival at the office and escorted them to an examination room.
- Responded promptly to requests from other staff members or dentists while maintaining a professional demeanor.
- Took digital X-rays of teeth using radiographic equipment.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Instructed patients about postoperative instructions prescribed by their dentist.
- Assisted in laboratory procedures such as mixing impression materials or pouring casts from impressions taken by dentists.
- Provided support services such as stocking rooms with supplies, cleaning trays and changing linens between patients.
- Ensured compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Conducted routine maintenance of equipment used in dentistry operations.
- Assisted dentist in providing dental treatment to patients, including taking patient medical histories and vital signs.
- Prepared dental materials such as amalgam, composite resin, impression material and cements for use by the dentist.
- Sterilized instruments according to established guidelines and protocols.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental procedures, including passing instruments to the dentist and holding suction devices.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
- 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.
- Documented patient records with procedures performed and added notes taken to charts.
- Took preliminary impressions of patient teeth to prepare for custom impressions and fabrication of permanent dental work.
- Updated patient records with new data and treatment information.
- Established clean, sterile and welcoming environment for patients.
- Documented patient records during procedures and added notes taken to treatment chart.
- Assisted in the training of new dental assistants by providing guidance on protocols and processes.
- Prepared injection syringes for use in various dental procedures according to protocol standards.
Education
GED -
Ser Jobs
Santa Maria, CA12-2019
RDA - Dental Assistant
Dental Advantage
San Luis Obispo, CA09-2017
Skills
- Sterilization techniques
- Patient education
- Radiography procedures
- Dental software proficiency
- Inventory management
- Medical record keeping
- Infection control compliance
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Dependable and responsible
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Multitasking
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Certification
- CPR
- X- lincense
Timeline
RDA
Central Coast Dental Implants Center
09.2017 - Current
Dental Assistant
Santa Barbara Family Dentistry
05.2009 - 09.2025
GED -
Ser Jobs
RDA - Dental Assistant
Dental Advantage
Similar Profiles
Avery ThompsonAvery Thompson
Registered Dental Assistant at Texas Center for Oral Surgery and Dental ImplantsRegistered Dental Assistant at Texas Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants
Jessica GreshamJessica Gresham
Dental Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator at Oral surgery Associates & Dental Implants CenterDental Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator at Oral surgery Associates & Dental Implants Center
Hailey BrownHailey Brown
Intern at Oral Sugery and Dental Implants Center of the OzarIntern at Oral Sugery and Dental Implants Center of the Ozar
Desirae CarlonDesirae Carlon
Juvenile Institution Officer at Santa Barbara County Probation DepartmentJuvenile Institution Officer at Santa Barbara County Probation Department
Joshua SnowJoshua Snow
Actor in the CHRISTMAS CAROL- PETER CRACHIT at The Great American MelodramaActor in the CHRISTMAS CAROL- PETER CRACHIT at The Great American Melodrama