Raya Collins
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Dynamic Certified Dental Assistant with extensive experience at Smile KC, adept at enhancing patient retention through personalized care and effective communication. Proficient in dental radiography and infection control, I excel in fostering a positive environment while supporting complex procedures, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction. Committed to ongoing professional development and team collaboration.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Dental Assistant
Smile KC
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Reduced dentist''s workload during procedures by anticipating their needs and having necessary instruments readily available.
- Utilized advanced dental equipment proficiently, including intraoral cameras and digital radiography tools, to support comprehensive patient assessments.
- Promoted a positive environment for patients and staff through effective communication and teamwork.
- Increased patient retention by developing strong relationships and providing personalized care.
- Maintained professional development through ongoing continuing education courses in dental assisting techniques.
- Improved patient comfort by providing thorough explanations of dental procedures and addressing concerns.
- Collaborated with team members to provide seamless care during high-volume periods, minimizing wait times for patients.
- Assisted dentists with complex procedures, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene practices to maintain good oral health between visits.
- Aided in the creation of custom dental appliances such as mouthguards or retainers by taking precise impressions of patients'' teeth.
- Managed patient emergencies calmly and efficiently, coordinating with dental team members to provide appropriate care.
- Supported dentists in diagnosing oral health issues by taking diagnostic x-rays as needed.
- Prepared comprehensive radiological images, allowing supervisory dental staff to spot cavities, tooth decay, and areas needing treatment.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, Type, casts and impressions.
- Supported dentists during procedures, assisting dental fillings, permanent, and temporary crowns and sealants.
Lead Certified Dental Assistant
Indian Springs Dental Clinic
09.2018 - 06.2021
- Collaborated with dental team members for seamless coordination of care for pediatric patients.
- Facilitated better communication between parents and providers through clear explanations of dental treatment plans and procedures.
- Maintained a clean, safe environment in the treatment rooms, adhering to stringent sterilization protocols.
- Improved patient comfort by providing educational materials and addressing their concerns regarding dental procedures.
Certified Dental Assistant
Meyers Dental
03.2018 - 05.2021
- Promoted a positive environment for patients and staff through effective communication and teamwork.
- Reduced dentist''s workload during procedures by anticipating their needs and having necessary instruments readily available.
- Supported dentists during procedures, assisting dental fillings, permanent, and temporary crowns and sealants.
- Increased patient retention by developing strong relationships and providing personalized care.
Temp Worker CDA
Healthcare Staffing Solutions
02.2014 - 04.2018
- Worked fast to complete tasks and meet daily deadlines.
- Followed instructions and procedures to complete assigned tasks.
- Maintained work areas by cleaning and straightening for maximum productivity and safety.
- Cleaned and straightened work areas to maximize productivity and safety.
- Loaded, unloaded, and moved material to and from storage and production areas.
- Improved team morale and productivity through effective communication and active listening skills.
Certified Dental Assistant
Elks Mobile Dental Unit Lakewood
02.2011 - 01.2014
- Utilized advanced dental equipment proficiently, including intraoral cameras and digital radiography tools, to support comprehensive patient
- Increased patient retention by developing strong relationships and providing personalized care.
- Supported dentists during procedures, assisting dental fillings, permanent, and temporary crowns and sealants.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
Dental Assistant Intern
Blue Hills Dental Group
05.2003 - 08.2008
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by collaborating effectively with the dental team members.
- Prepared dental rooms and materials.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
- Accurately entered patient clinical data into computer to update charts.
- Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
- Kept work areas clean, sanitized and organized to minimize infection risk.
- Built trusting relationships with patients through empathetic listening, clear communication, and genuine care for their wellbeing.
Dental Assistant Intern
UMKC School of Dentistry
03.2003 - 05.2004
- Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
- Accurately entered patient clinical data into computer to update charts.
- Facilitated smooth appointment transitions with efficient room setup, instrument preparation, and sterilization processes between patients.
- Kept work areas clean, sanitized and organized to minimize infection risk.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
Education
Certificate - Dental Assistant
Penn Valley Community College
Kansas City, MO05.2004
Skills
- Patient education
- Dental radiography
- Impression taking expertise
- Infection control proficiency
- Restorative dentistry
- Oral surgery assistance
- Electronic charting
- Restorative dentistry assistance
- Medical records management
- Restorative procedures
- Appointment scheduling proficiency
- Pediatric dental care
- Prophylaxis
- Dental radiography techniques
- Dental appliance fabrication
- Strong manual dexterity
- Periodontal treatment support
- Patient counseling
- Prosthodontics assistance
- Patient education and counseling
- HIPAA regulations
- Dental impression specialist
- OSHA compliance
- Exam room setups
- Periodontics
- Patient schedule management
- Nitrous oxide administration
- Infection control procedures
- Four-handed procedures
- Dentrix proficiency
- Disinfecting rooms and equipment
- Dental impressions
- Equipment sterilization
- Appointment scheduling
- Dental records
- First aid training
- Dental terminology
- Chair-side support
- Surgical setup
- Oral X-rays
Timeline
Certified Dental Assistant
Smile KC
08.2021 - 06.2023
Lead Certified Dental Assistant
Indian Springs Dental Clinic
09.2018 - 06.2021
Certified Dental Assistant
Meyers Dental
03.2018 - 05.2021
Temp Worker CDA
Healthcare Staffing Solutions
02.2014 - 04.2018
Certified Dental Assistant
Elks Mobile Dental Unit Lakewood
02.2011 - 01.2014
Dental Assistant Intern
Blue Hills Dental Group
05.2003 - 08.2008
Dental Assistant Intern
UMKC School of Dentistry
03.2003 - 05.2004
Certificate - Dental Assistant
Penn Valley Community College