Phyllis Terrell- Morgan
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Experienced Dental Assistant with 25+ years of chairside support, patient care, and dental radiography in VA clinic settings. Skilled in infection control, CPRS charting, and clear patient communication.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Assistant
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Decatur, Georgia
03.2008 - Current
- Prepared treatment rooms for veteran dental procedures at VA medical center. Expanded duty assistant, take x-rays, customer service. Use CPRS, Vista and Citrix Access programs.
- Assisted dentists during examinations, fillings, and extractions in clinic settings.
- Sterilized instruments and maintained infection control standards throughout patient care.
- Took dental radiographs and organized images for provider review.
- Recorded treatment notes and updated electronic patient charts accurately.
- Managed dental trays, supplies, and equipment for daily clinic flow.
- Educated veterans on oral hygiene and post-treatment care instructions.
- Supported patient comfort and communication during appointments at Atlanta VA Medical Center.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental procedures, including passing instruments to the dentist and holding suction devices.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Sterilized instruments according to established guidelines and protocols.
- Took digital X-rays of teeth using radiographic equipment.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Performed administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, answering telephones and updating patient records.
- Laid out dental instruments and equipment before procedures.
- Greeted patients upon arrival at the office and escorted them to an examination room.
- 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.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and habits.
- Prepared dental materials such as amalgam, composite resin, impression material and cements for use by the dentist.
- Documented patient records with procedures performed and added notes taken to charts.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Took preliminary impressions of patient teeth to prepare for custom impressions and fabrication of permanent dental work.
- Helped maintain inventory levels of all dental supplies used in day-to-day operations.
- Responded promptly to requests from other staff members or dentists while maintaining a professional demeanor.
- 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.
Dental Assistant
St. Josephs Mercy Care
Atlanta, Georgia
02.2000 - 02.2008
- Prepared treatment rooms for veteran dental procedures at VA medical center.
- Assisted dentists during examinations, fillings, and extractions in clinic settings.
- Sterilized instruments and maintained infection control standards throughout patient care.
- Took dental radiographs and organized images for provider review.
- Recorded treatment notes and updated electronic patient charts accurately.
- Managed dental trays, supplies, and equipment for daily clinic flow.
- Educated veterans on oral hygiene and post-treatment care instructions.
- Supported patient comfort and communication during appointments at Atlanta VA Medical Center.
- Provided chair-side assistance during dental procedures, including passing instruments to the dentist and holding suction devices.
- Sanitized equipment, cleaned treatment rooms and restocked supplies after each patient's treatment to maintain cleanliness and prepare for next patient.
- Sterilized instruments according to established guidelines and protocols.
- Took digital X-rays of teeth using radiographic equipment.
- Maintained a neat, clean and organized environment throughout the office.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Performed administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, answering telephones and updating patient records.
- Laid out dental instruments and equipment before procedures.
- Greeted patients upon arrival at the office and escorted them to an examination room.
- 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.
- Educated patients on treatment procedures and post-procedure home care.
- Prepared dental materials such as amalgam, composite resin, impression material and cements for use by the dentist.
- Documented patient records with procedures performed and added notes taken to charts.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and habits.
- Gathered and reviewed patient records, data and health history to share with dentists for quick and accurate patient assessments, diagnoses and treatment.
- Took preliminary impressions of patient teeth to prepare for custom impressions and fabrication of permanent dental work.
- Helped maintain inventory levels of all dental supplies used in day-to-day operations.
- Responded promptly to requests from other staff members or dentists while maintaining a professional demeanor.
- 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.
- Reviewed patient charts prior to visits to ensure that all relevant information was available for the doctor's review.
- Took patient blood pressure, pulse and temperature and accurately recorded results in patient charts.
- Built loyal patient following and retained return patients by providing empathetic and caring service.
- Prepared patients by explaining scheduled treatments and potential side effects.
- Explained dental services and payment plans to help patients make informed decisions.
Education
Dental Assisting Diploma - Dental Assisting
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA06-1990
Skills
- Digital radiography
- CPRS charting
- Infection control
- Chairside assisting
- Dental materials
- Patient scheduling
- Treatment room setup
- Instrument sterilization
- Supply inventory
- Vital signs
- Attention to detail
- Patient communication
- Team coordination
- Time management
- Professional demeanor
- Clinical support
- Patient education
- Exam room setups
- Patient relations
- Professionalism and etiquette
- Pediatric dental care
- Dental material handling
- Chair-side support
- Infection control proficiency
- Patient counseling
- Patient record maintenance
- Four-handed procedures
- Dental software management
- Oral X-rays
- Dental staff support
- Treatment room breakdown
- First aid training
- X-ray processing
- Data confidentiality measures
- Patient data gathering
- Patient services
- Digital X-ray proficiency
- Regulatory compliance
- Oral healthcare
- Emergency response preparedness
- Impression taking skills
Timeline
Dental Assistant
Atlanta VA Medical Center
03.2008 - Current
Dental Assistant
St. Josephs Mercy Care
02.2000 - 02.2008
Dental Assisting Diploma - Dental Assisting
Atlanta Technical College