McKenna Weiss
Hyde Park,NY
Summary
Dedicated Pediatric Dental Assistant skilled in delivering exceptional oral care to children. Proficient in engaging with young patients and parents, educating on oral hygiene, and preparing dental materials. Experience in fostering a calming, child-friendly atmosphere that reduces anxiety and improves the pediatric dental experience.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Pediatric Dental Assistant
Valley Pediatric Dentistry
Hopewell Junction, New York
05.2025 - Current
- Assisted dentists during patient examinations and procedures, promoting optimal care delivery.
- Performed chair side duties including taking x-rays, making impressions and pouring models.
- Prepared examination rooms and sterilized instruments to uphold hygiene standards.
- Educated parents and children on oral hygiene practices, contributing to better health outcomes.
- Supported patients in anxiety management, using calming techniques to create a comforting environment.
- Collaborated with dental team to foster a welcoming environment for young patients.
- Managed scheduling and patient records, streamlining office operations.
- Monitored inventory of dental supplies to maintain adequate stock levels.
- Cleaned and sterilized instruments after each use, adhering to universal precautions guidelines.
THON Dancer Relations Committee Member
Penn State University
State College, PA
09.2024 - 02.2025
- Coordinated all aspects of the dancer experience to ensure safety and well-being.
- Trained and educated committee members to provide emotional and physical support for every dancer during THON Weekend
- Ensured physical and mental well-being for dancers, volunteers, and spectators during sleep-deprived THON events
- Informed members on Four Diamonds Family story of the week, reinforcing focus on THON's mission
Head Teacher B.S.
Hyde Park Daycare and Nursery School
Hyde Park, NY
01.2019 - 08.2024
- Created educational, interactive, and age-appropriate lesson plans for 17 students, fostering engagement and learning.
- Tailored instruction to individual student needs, improving overall learning outcomes.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively across diverse age groups.
- Managed student needs, including allergies, medications, restroom access, and behavior, ensuring a supportive learning environment.
- Fostered a positive and inclusive environment for all students and families.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Penn State University
State College, PA
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Organized and led review sessions to enhance understanding of course material.
- Wrote detailed commentary on assignments to promote student success.
- Collaborated with teaching assistant team to develop consistent grading guidelines, ensuring fair assessment of student work.
- Provided additional support for assignments, addressing student questions and concerns.
- Anticipated student needs, offering guidance to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Monitored attendance and tracked student progress across projects, labs, and reports to identify areas for academic improvement.
- Prepared course materials and collected assignments to support faculty, streamlining administrative processes.
- Assisted in preparation of course materials, including lecture notes, handouts, and exams.
THON Rules and Regulations Committee Member
Penn State University
State College, PA
08.2023 - 02.2024
- Ensured safety of children, workers, and supporters, fostering a secure environment
- Monitored adherence to safety guidelines, maintaining compliance throughout the event
- Reacted promptly and decisively to unforeseen challenges or situations in a fast-paced environment
- Staffed no sitting no sleeping dance marathon for 46 hours, supporting event continuity
Summer Education Abroad
Penn State University
Florence, Italy
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Assisted in an Italian school classroom, contributing to the educational environment and supporting instructional activities.
- Shadowed educators in elementary school, gaining insights into teaching methodologies and classroom dynamics
- Learned about cultural nuances and daily living in Italy
- Collaborated with diverse coworkers to achieve shared objectives and effectively resolve challenges during the program
Education
B.S. - Human Development and Family Studies
Penn State University
State College, PA05-2025
Skills
- Patient management
- Patient education
- Crisis intervention
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
- Critical thinking
- Emotional support
- Leadership
- Lesson planning
- Positive attitude
Volunteer Experience
- Dental shadowing experience, Dr. Jason Nicoletti, 01/22
- Events volunteer, Knights of Columbus, 01/15
Undergraduate Extracurriculars
- Member, THON Dancer Relations, 01/24, 05/25
- Member, THON Security, 01/23, 05/24
- Member, Movin'On Student Run Music Festival, 01/23, 05/24
- Member, Pre Dental Society, 01/22, 05/24
- Member, Kindness Club (Sunny State), 01/22, 05/24
Relevant Experiences
- THON Dancer Relations Committee Member, Penn State University, State College, PA, 01/24, Inform all members on the Four Diamonds Family story of the week as well as recenter the focus back on THON's mission, Ensuring the safety and well-being of the dancers by coordinating all logical aspects of the dancer experience, Training and educating committee members on providing emotional and physical support to every dancer throughout THON Weekend
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Penn State University, State College, PA, 01/24, Collaborate with team of teaching assistants to create consistent guidelines for grading, Write commentary on assignments to guide students to success, Organize and lead review sessions, Offer support and extra help on assignments and understanding of material, Anticipated needs of students and provided with guiding information to avoid stress and anxiety amongst students
- Summer Education Abroad, Florence, Italy, 06/23, Learned about different aspects of life in Italy, Shadowed elementary school in Italy, Served as an assistant in an Italian school classroom, contributing to the educational environment and supporting the instructional activities
- THON Rules and Regulations Committee Member, Penn State University, State College, PA, 01/23, Staff no sitting no sleeping dance marathon for 40 hours, Ensure safety of children, workers, and supporters, Learn and enforce safety protocol throughout the weekend, Reacted promptly and decisively to unforeseen challenges or situations in a fast-paced environment
- Head Teacher B.S., Hyde Park Daycare and Nursery School, Hyde Park, NY, 09/19, Develop lesson plans that were both educational, interactive, and age appropriate for my 17 students, Vary instruction for children based on specific needs, Manage classroom behavior with various age groups, Care for all the needs of students, such as allergies, medications, restroom, and overall behavior and discipline
Timeline
Pediatric Dental Assistant
Valley Pediatric Dentistry
05.2025 - Current
THON Dancer Relations Committee Member
Penn State University
09.2024 - 02.2025
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Penn State University
01.2024 - 05.2024
THON Rules and Regulations Committee Member
Penn State University
08.2023 - 02.2024
Summer Education Abroad
Penn State University
04.2023 - 06.2023
Head Teacher B.S.
Hyde Park Daycare and Nursery School
01.2019 - 08.2024
B.S. - Human Development and Family Studies
Penn State University