Sonya Waldron
Dental Assistant/Front Office
Hendersonville,NC
Summary
Chairside Dental Assistant for almost 27 years, with a five year break from Dentistry to become an ER Technician. The medical/dental fields are chosen areas of expertise. Fast learner, very friendly and approachable. Team player who wants for the practice as a whole to be successful. Willing to learn new skills and use them to improve the practice.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Asheville Smile Center
Arden, NC
05.2014 - Current
- Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene, pre-surgical instructions and post-surgical care.
- Sanitized trays, instruments, and surfaces for clean dental office setting and patient safety.
- Assisted dentists by passing instruments, suctioning intraoral fluids, adding water, and mixing materials for fillings, [Type], casts and impressions.
- Made preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Prepared and arranged instruments, medications, and required materials for dental procedures.
- Took [Number] x-rays per week.
- Entered patient data into computer system, adhering to strict privacy laws and maintaining high level of accuracy.
- Measured and recorded vital statistics by taking patients' blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
- Assisted in chair-side dental procedures by filling cavities and taking impressions.
- Applied fluoride varnish and sealants.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Cleaned and sanitized dental tools and equipment, straightened treatment rooms, and restocked supplies to prep for next patient and maintain health and safety practices.
- Prepared patient X-rays and images for review by dentist.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
- Staged tray for procedures by arranging dental instruments and equipment.
- Created dental impressions used for diagnostics, opposing models and study casts to make crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.
- Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
- Educated patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
- Designed dental report card to explain patient dental health status and treatment plans.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Scheduled appointments, prepared bills and received payment for dental services by completing insurance forms, verifying insurance information, and maintaining records.
- Prepared and positioned patients for procedures, clipping dental napkins and placing patient safety devices.
- Prepared patient x-rays and images for dentist review.
- Performed general chair-side duties for general dentistry, endo procedures, and oral surgery.
- Sterilized rooms and prepped equipment and instruments for [Number] procedures daily.
- Assisted dentists, hygienists, and other personnel by handing appropriate tools and supplies needed for procedures.
- Documented patient dental health information, medical history, and vital signs for future reference.
- Scheduled appointments for new and existing customers, factoring in provider availability and scheduling loads.
- Helped dentists restore teeth by applying permanent and temporary fillings and crowns.
- Maintained dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory levels and placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Exposed, developed and mounted dental x-rays.
- Successfully assisted dentist by performing four-handed dentistry and other chair-side duties.
- Explained treatment procedures and instructed patients on home care guidelines.
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Asheville Smile Center
Arden, NC
05.2014 - Current
- Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
- Educated patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
- Designed dental report card to explain patient dental health status and treatment plans.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Midgette Family Dentistry
Chesapeake, VA
01.2021 - 05.2022
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Smithfield Family Dentistry
Smithfield, VA
06.2020 - 01.2021
- Prepared and sterilized instruments and materials for use by dentists.
- Educated patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
- Scheduled and confirmed patient appointments.
- Designed dental report card to explain patient dental health status and treatment plans.
- Verified patient insurance eligibility and benefits.
- Took dental images following strict patient protection rules, applying lead aprons.
- Recorded patients' health histories, documented current symptoms, and pulled up records from prior visits for dentists to view and evaluate.
ER Technician, CNA II
Pardee Hospital-UNC Health
Hendersonville, NC
08.2010 - 08.2014
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Assisted in obtaining and documenting vital signs and placement of oxygen saturation, cardiac monitoring, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring systems.
- Followed all hospital policies and procedures and complied with local, state, and federal agency and accrediting body guidelines.
- Administered basic wound care, insertion of Foley catheters and nasogastric tubes.
- Assisted with resuscitation, CPR, and emergency airway procedures.
- Offered immediate assistance in emergency and routine paging situations to evaluate needs and deliver care.
- Collected basic samples, labeled specimens properly, and transferred to laboratory for testing.
- Received direction and assignments from physicians and nurses, providing efficient technical support to optimize patient care.
- Safely transported patients by wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to other units.
- Helped clean and prepare patient consultation rooms to maintain hygiene standards
- Evaluated patients to identify and address wounds, behavioral concerns, and medically relevant symptoms.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments, and evaluating patient needs.
- Educated patients and family members on best home care practices for healing and recovery.
- Worked with nurses to assess patients and prepare for tests and procedures.
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas, and nurse stations.
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Utilized therapeutic communication, empathy and active listening skills to encourage and develop positive relationships with patients.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses such as respiratory failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy.
- Quickly responded to codes and cardiac monitor alarms.
- Supported ambulation and physical therapy needs by conducting planned exercise routines.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing, and teeth brushing.
Education
Certified Nursing Assistant II - Nursing Assistance
Blue Ridge Community College
Flat Rock, NC08.
Certificate - Dental Radiography
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville, NC01.1996
High School Diploma -
North Buncombe High School
Weaverville, NC05.1987
Skills
- Sterilization Techniques
- Chair Side Assistance
- Health and Safety Practices
- Digital Radiographs
- Dental Equipment
- Dental Staff Assistance
- Restorative Dentistry
- Disinfecting Rooms and Equipment
- Surgical Extractions
- Postoperative Care Instructions
- Patient Assessments
- Patient Intake Procedures
- Impression Taking
- Instrument Selection
- Radiography Safety
- Treatment Room Preparation
- Sterility Procedures
- Implant Restoration
- Equipment and Instrument Sterilization
- Restorative Materials
- Cement Mixing
- Individualized Care Plans
- Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC)
- Appliance Fitting and Adjustment
- Patterson Eagle Soft
- Inventory Replenishment
- Medical Charting
- Universal Precautions
- Oral Surgery
- HIPAA Compliance
- Compliance Training
- Electronic Charting
- Preventive Maintenance
- Regulatory Compliance
- Taking X-Rays
- Crown and Bridge Construction
- Temporary Restorations
- Rapport Development
- Dentrix Proficiency
- Post-Operative Procedures
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Advising and Educating Patients
- Preliminary Impressions
- Disinfection and Sterilization
- Sealant Application
- Oral Health Care
- Critical Thinking
- Dental Supply Inventory
- Patient Schedule Management
- Strong Manual Dexterity
- Tooth Extraction
- Local Anesthetic Proficiency
- X-Ray Processing
- Plates Presentation
- Oral Hygiene Techniques
- Patient Care Standards
- Dental Radiography
- Restorative Procedures
- Data Verification
- Sanitation Protocols
- Data Confidentiality Measures
- Infection Control Proficiency
- Periodontics and Endodontics
- Anatomical Landmark Reading
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Laser Debridement
- Denture Adjustment
- Full Mouth Radiographs
- Nitrous Oxide
- Team Collaboration
- Surgical Setup
- Patient Data Gathering
- Radiation Protection
- Prepare Instruments
- Strong Writing and Verbal Skills
- Autoclave Operation
- Four-Handed Procedures
- Occlusal Registrations
- Taking Medical and Dental Histories
- Personable Communication
- Postoperative Education
- Medical Records Management
- Placing Crowns
Certification
NC Medicine Technician
NC Dental Radiology
NC Drug Screening and BAT
Cricut Vinyl and paper crafting
I enjoy designing shirts for friends and family. I also design cards, wooden signs, glasses, mugs and hanging decor.
Timeline
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Midgette Family Dentistry
01.2021 - 05.2022
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Smithfield Family Dentistry
06.2020 - 01.2021
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Asheville Smile Center
05.2014 - Current
Dental Assistant, Chairside
Asheville Smile Center
05.2014 - Current
ER Technician, CNA II
Pardee Hospital-UNC Health
08.2010 - 08.2014
Certified Nursing Assistant II - Nursing Assistance
Blue Ridge Community College
Certificate - Dental Radiography
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
High School Diploma -
North Buncombe High School