Tara Tufford
Dr. Bryan Terhune, DMD
Bolivar,Ohio
1
Certification
22
years of professional experience
Dynamic Dental Assistant and EFDA with over 24 years of experience in delivering high-quality, hands-on dental care while leveraging extensive dental knowledge to support front office operations. Demonstrated expertise in clinical procedures and advanced dental technology ensures exceptional patient care and satisfaction. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and adapt to varying patient needs while maintaining a strong focus on operational efficiency. Recognized for implementing strategic initiatives that significantly enhance service delivery in fast-paced environments.
Work History
Adjunct Instructor- Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, Dental Assisting Tech I
3 Years 11 Months- Instructor of Dental Materials providing didactic and hands-on laboratory instruction for proper use, techniques and safety of dental materials including fabricating dental provisionals, proper manipulation of dental alginates and impression materials and safe mixing and disposing of restorative materials.
- Develop and deliver a comprehensive curriculum to students.
- Assess students' progress and provide feedback.
- Verify all student assignments are timely recorded.
- Assist students in learning proper procedures and techniques when taking dental radiographs.
EFDA/IMPLANT COORDINATOR
10 Years 10 Months- Provide high-quality patient care under the direct supervision of a dentist. This includes composite and amalgam restorations, sedative restorations, designing and fabricating CAD/CAM restorations and sealant placement.
- Sterilize and deliver instruments and devices to the treatment area for easier access.
- Assisted at the chairside for successful executions of procedures such as composite and amalgam restorations, extractions, and crown preparations.
- Assist in adequately visualizing the oral cavity by capturing, developing, and mounting radiographic films, fabricating study cast models, and taking intraoral photographs.
- Prevent post-procedural infections, ensuring all instruments are complete and underwent proper sterilization procedures.
- Execute administrative duties including verifying dental insurance coverage, submitting dental claims via dental software, posting dental claims, insurance aging and patient billing.
DENTAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST
8 Months- Delivered remote support to dental offices by providing patient service through inbound and outbound calls, including scheduling of restorative and hygiene appointments, confirming dental appointments and verifying dental insurance coverage.
- Obtained and recorded patient information, health backgrounds, insurance verifications, and patient account collections, utilizing Eaglesoft, Dentrix, Softdent, and Open Dental software to maintain the utmost quality.
EFDA
1 Year- Provided dentists with comprehensive support in all aspects of patient treatment by delivering high-quality oral healthcare services.
- Performed advanced restorative procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Placement included dental sealants, composite, amalgam, and sedative restorations, provisional restorations and coronal polishing.
- Documented and recorded patient medical and dental histories while adhering to health information privacy laws.
- Safeguarded clients' physical and mental health by acting as a friendly, courteous, and attentive support worker throughout all treatment services.
- Committed to showing reliability and flexibility in exceeding client expectations.
- Prepared patients, sterilized instruments, set up instrument trays, readied materials and assisted dentists during dental procedures.
- Aided in risk assessments, management of medical and dental emergencies, and crisis intervention.
- Utilized extensive knowledge of sterilizing and disinfecting instruments and equipment, preparing trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instructing patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
EFDA
2 Years 1 Month- Performed advanced restorative procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Placement included dental sealants, composite, amalgam and sedative restorations, provisional restorations and coronal polishing.
- Performed clerical tasks such as phone support for inbound calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining up-to-date records in the clinic's database.
- Discussed dental concerns with patients and formulated specialized client-specific treatment plans.
- Educated patients on dental hygiene with presentations of the best dental products to promote proper oral health care.
- Assisted in oral procedures and monitored patients' blood pressure, heart rate, and observable response to medication.
- Managed routine sanitation protocols, test runs, dental equipment maintenance, and the disinfection of the entire office.
CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT
8 Years 11 Months- Maintained patient records and lab equipment, sterilized instruments, assisted office manager with patient scheduling, billing, and insurance claims, and preparing data to present information about the procedures to the patients.
- Gained experience in fabricating crowns, pouring impressions, trimming models, preparing orthodontic equipment, troubleshooting, and assisting with extractions, impactions, fillings, implants, and local anesthesia.
- Maintained all dental equipment and machines, including ultrasonic, autoclave, wet and dry x-ray tank, and glaze machine.
- Ensured compliance with present OSHA requirements, concurrently ensuring patient privacy via current HIPAA regulations.
- Directed all personnel matters, including recruitment, hiring, coaching, and development of new and existing employees.
- Properly sterilized dental equipment and examination rooms following infection control policies to maintain all standards.
Education
EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT
Skills
Advanced Clinical Training
Insurance verification and claims processing
Treatment planning
Infection Control & Prevention
Health Education
Patient Care & Customer Service
CAD/CAM Dentistry
Coronal Polishing
Fluoride Application
Patient scheduling
Time Management
Ability to Adapt
OSHA Regulations
Attention to Detail
Leadership Skills
Excellent Communication Skills
Dentrix
Eaglesoft
Google Suite
Microsoft Office (Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook)
Certification
Dental Assistant Certification, Buckeye Career Center, New Philadelphia, OH
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor- Dental Materials, Dental Radiography, Dental Assisting Tech I
Stark State College
07.2022 - CurrentRead More
DENTAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Dental Support Specialties LLC.
09.2015 - 05.2016Read More
EFDA/IMPLANT COORDINATOR
Dr. Bryan Terhune, DMD
08.2015 - CurrentRead More
EFDA
Summit Dental Group
05.2014 - 05.2015Read More
EFDA
Dr. Henzel and Smith Inc.
10.2011 - 11.2013Read More
CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT
Moundbuilders General Dentistry
09.2004 - 08.2013Read More
The Ohio State College of Dentistry
EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT
Read More
Volunteer Experience
Dental Mission, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, 01/01/17, Present
Core Expertise
- Advanced Clinical Training
- Infection Control & Prevention
- Patient scheduling
- Patient Care & Customer Service
- Dental insurance verification
- CAD/CAM Dentistry
- Dental claims processing and posting
- Coronal Polishing
- Fluoride Application
- Documentation & Reporting
- Time Management
- Ability to Adapt
- OSHA Regulations
- Attention to Detail
- Patient and insurance aging
- Leadership Skills
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Presentation Skills