Monique S. Gassaway
Houston,TX
Summary
A reliable, motivated professional with a passion for customer service. I am skilled in problem-solving, active listening, and communication.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dental Assistant Instructor
Houston Pediatric Dental Assistant School
Houston Texas
09.2023 - Current
- Prepared graduates for successful careers as dental assistants by emphasizing real-world applications of skills learned in class.
- Enhanced overall program reputation through consistent delivery of high-quality instruction, leading to increased enrollment rates and recognition within the dental assisting education community.
- Reduced student attrition rates by providing personalized support and mentoring to struggling learners.
- Advised students on potential career paths within dentistry based on their unique interests and strengths, helping guide them towards fulfilling professional opportunities.
- Implemented new educational techniques to boost student comprehension while reducing learning time.
- Updated instructional materials, ordered equipment and supplies and utilized various learning modalities to enhance instruction.
- Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and as group.
- Supervised student training in dental offices and classroom settings.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration among students.
COVID Response Professional
Houston Health Department
Houston, TX
03.2020 - Current
- Hand selected from multiple mass testing sites to transfer to the mobile testing unit to develop protocol and procedures that will ensure safe and efficient testing at each testing site, which saw between 100-250 patients daily
- Trained as a specimen handler, which included swabbing patients, verifying lab forms, and quality check specimens to be processed at the labs
- Accurately registered patients' information and communicated test results via mail and phone while maintaining HIPAA confidentiality protocol
- Aided in training temporary employees to fulfill job requirements as specimen handlers
- Ensured that the proper amount of PPE inventory was accounted for the entire staff for the duration of each site
- Investigated and addressed problems encountered by colleagues due to clerical errors, medical errors, and logistical errors
- Consistently lauded by supervisors, and frequently requested to test high profile clientele
- Acknowledged by partner organizations for maintaining outstanding professionalism and efficiency
- Helped lead the mobile strike testing team by adapting testing processes to each site's specific testing and safety needs to limit exposure to COVID-19
- Maintained an efficient vaccination administration system as a Minute Maid Mass Vaccination Site Pod Leader, which saw over 3000 patients
Dental Assistant
Houston Health Department
Houston, TX
01.2019 - Current
- Took and recorded medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient
- Assisted up to 3 dentists in their daily duties, which included all examinations, cleanings, and procedures
- Prepared patients, consisting of children and pregnant women, daily to undergo dental procedures, and assist dentist with sterilizing instruments, setting up instrument trays, and preparing materials
- Participated in 'Project Save a Smile Outreach' program, which provides sealants for children at risk for cavities
- Instructed patients in proper healthy nutrition and overall oral health
- Maintained a clean, sterile, and positive environment, thus ensuring patient comfort and safety
- Monitored all records and protocol related to OSHA and HIPAA
- Scheduled appointments and send reminders using appointee scheduling software, fill in insurance documents, prepare bills, and receive payment for dental services
- Provided customer service, which included greeting and tending to each patients' needs
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
- Exposed, developed and mounted dental x-rays.
- Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns
Pediatric Lead Dental Assistant
Sugar Land Modern Dentistry
Sugar Land, TX
05.2017 - 03.2019
- Responsibilities included coronal polishing with fluoride treatment, radiographs, dental sealants, and removal of bands/archwire
- Made preliminary impressions for study casts and registrations for mounting study casts
- Took and recorded medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients
- Prepared up to 35 patients daily to undergo dental procedures, and assist dentist with sterilizing instruments, setting up instrument trays, and preparing materials
- Reordered and issued medical/dental supplies within budgetary constraints and maintain a perpetual inventory control
- Trained new dental assistants in monitoring, ordering, and stocking hygiene room supplies, managing patient recalls, and disinfecting and arranging work
- Monitored all records and policies related to OSHA and back-office sterilization processes
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs
- Provided customer service, which included greeting and tending to young patients' needs
- Attended monthly infectious control meetings and adhered to cross-contamination protocol according to CDC guidelines
Financial Aid Assistant
PIMA Medical Institute
Houston, TX
01.2016 - 09.2016
- Organized and maintained confidential documents or files of current and graduate students
- Often inspected forms for missing information and fraudulent information
- Updated tracking system and linked student records such as transcripts, attendance, grades, contact hours, and graduation certificates using Microsoft Excel
- Distributed monthly stipend checks and manually posted received payments
- Performed various clerical and administrative duties for the Financial Aid Department
Camp Leader
Cal Farley Boys Ranch
Amarillo, TX
05.2015 - 08.2015
- Supervised and coordinated weekly recreational activities and individual hobbies for approximately 50 students
- Led weekly staff meetings that included up to 10 camp counselors, which consisted of schedule updates and review of emergency protocols
- Reviewed and implemented detailed camp schedules
- Evaluated youth engagement, and developed teamwork and communication skills among students
- Assisted in maintaining accurate program records including logbook documentation and daily attendance
- Investigated special problems encountered by colleagues and maintained incident reports
- Enforced and followed all safety guidelines associated with the camp and related program areas
- Kept communal areas sanitized and organized according to CDC guidelines
Education
Certified Dental Assistant -
PIMA Medical Institute
Houston, TX12.2016
Diploma - General Education
Amarillo High School
Amarillo, TX01.2013
Skills
- EPIC Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
- Dentrix Dental Software
- Eaglesoft Dental Software
- Microsoft Office: Word
- Microsoft Office: Excel
- Microsoft Office: PowerPoint
- Microsoft Office: Project
Certification
- OSHA & HIPAA Certified, 2017
- Registered Dental Assistant, Texas Dental Board, 2017
- Sealant Certified, Texas Dental Board, 2018
- Coronal Polishing Certified, Texas Dental Board, 2018
- Cerec Certified, Texas Dental Board, 2018
- First Aid & AED Certified, National CPR Foundation, 2020
- CPR Certified, National CPR Foundation, 2020
Presentations
Treating Patients with Special Needs - A Simple and Practical Approach, Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting Conference, 2019, Chicago, IL
Timeline
Dental Assistant Instructor
Houston Pediatric Dental Assistant School
09.2023 - Current
COVID Response Professional
Houston Health Department
03.2020 - Current
Dental Assistant
Houston Health Department
01.2019 - Current
Pediatric Lead Dental Assistant
Sugar Land Modern Dentistry
05.2017 - 03.2019
Financial Aid Assistant
PIMA Medical Institute
01.2016 - 09.2016
Camp Leader
Cal Farley Boys Ranch
05.2015 - 08.2015
Certified Dental Assistant -
PIMA Medical Institute
Diploma - General Education
Amarillo High School