Tasha Bates
Montgomery,TX
Summary
Versatile dental professional with 18+ years of experience overseeing patient care, operational logistics and responsibilities, budget and goal tracking, team building, recruitment and retention efforts, and new hire on-boarding and mentorship. My proven track record of leading teams through change, with empathy and resilience, all while achieving industry leading results is well documented.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Dental Hygienist
Carus Dental
08.2007 - Current
- Perform comprehensive dental cleanings and assessments to promote oral health.
- Assist in the development of individualized treatment plans based on patient needs and desires in collaboration with Doctors (of all experience levels).
- Utilize advanced dental technologies and tools for efficient patient care delivery, always aiming to stay current in my approach.
- Deliver compassionate care and monitor patient comfort through communication, exceptional clinical skills, gentle approach, and positive rapport development.
- Embrace the use of AI for improved patient care outcomes and encourage others to do the same.
- Deliver financial treatment plans and educate on family of financing options to ensure patients can afford the care they need, desire and deserve.
- Make and confirmed appointments to promote necessary follow-up care to maintain dental health, as well, 2-week reminder calls.
- Cross-trained to perform administrative duties, such as: collecting payments, sending pre-determinations, batching dental claims, monitoring ledger transactions for accuracy, and handling incoming calls.
- Serve as supply owner for home office maintaining Thrive supply metrics of < 2.8% YTD.
- Goal-oriented provider with strong scheduling focus.
- Supported hygienist working closely with my Hygiene Assistant to ensure successful chairside days for both myself, my Doctor, and my office/team.
Regional Hygiene Mentor of Operations
Heartland Dental
12.2021 - 04.2025
- Guided dental team members in best practices for patient care and operational efficiency.
- Developed training materials to enhance staff knowledge and skill sets within the clinical settings (ex: study clubs, periodontal programs, C2Cs, etc.)
- Facilitated workshops to improve Doctor/Hygiene communication and teamwork for improved patient care outcomes.
- Evaluated mentor programs, implementing improvements to increase participant engagement and success rates.
- Collaborated with leadership to align mentoring strategies with organizational goals and patient satisfaction initiatives.
- Assessed individual performance, providing constructive feedback to support professional growth and development.
- Established mentorship protocols that strengthened employee retention and job satisfaction within the practice.
- Partnered with hygiene schools and faculty to educate students on Heartland Dental.
- Served as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and dedication within the mentorship program environment.
- Built and developed mentor bench and supported mentee performance by providing personalized guidance and coaching.
- Supported and trained countless providers (Doctors, Hygienists) and team members (PMOs, HAs, DAs, BAs) on systems and best practices for improved patient retention and practice growth.
- Implemented supported hygiene within the region which lead to overall growth in hygiene PPH and practice profitability.
- Engaged in conflict management while overseeing Sub-Regional Hygiene Mentors when coaching and feedback needed to be addressed.
- Maintained strict confidentiality as a COLT member in all situations unless abuse, neglect, or threats identified.
- Collaborated with fellow RHMOs to exchange best practices, ensuring continuous improvement of regional strategies and approaches.
- Conducted routine one-on-one coaching sessions to address individual development needs, improving overall performance.
- Educated countless providers on periodontal disease and caries risk management protocols which rendered industry leading KPIs.
- Supported recruiting efforts to ensure attainment of top talent and overall team member retention.
- Oversaw and made every effort to achieve annual hygiene budgets. Problem-solved and thought outside the box when budgets fell short to either close the gap or make-up for missed revenue.
- Proficient in SAP, Business Tools, Excel, Word and other platforms.
Quality Assurance Coordinator
American Dental Partners
05.2020 - 12.2021
- Coordinated quality assurance processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards (ex: waterline testing, radiation safety measures, and federal amalgam safety standards).
- Trained staff on best practices for quality assurance and risk management.
- Streamlined monthly, quarterly and annual reporting systems for tracking quality metrics and outcomes for senior leadership and QA committee members.
- Supported multiple AAAHC triennial surveys where re-accreditation was achieved prior to my time as QA Coordinator.
- Conducted regular practice audits (I-Auditor) to identify areas for improvement in operational procedures.
- Analyzed data trends to drive strategic decisions for continuous improvement initiatives (ex: hand washing, needle sticks).
- Participated in supplier evaluations alongside procurement team, identifying high-quality vendors and products.
- Personally implemented fit testing protocols post COVID to reduce organization expense and ensure staff safety. Performed N95 fit testing and worked with organizational leadership to support office re-opening post COVID shutdown, along with supply procurement. Trained others to support fit-testing efforts to support regional needs.
Affiliate Hygiene Mentor
American Dental Partners
01.2013 - 12.2021
- Job Description mirrors that of Regional Hygiene Mentor of Operations (RHMO) notated above with few exceptions:
- Supported and trained countless providers and team members on digital radiography while transitioning from film to digital sensors.
- Built and development content for new hire on-boarding program (Carus Academy), alongside our Doctor Mentor, for all Doctors/Specialist/Hygienists.
- Supported and trained countless providers and team members on Improvis (practice management software) while transitioning from paper charts to digital record keeping.
- Served as liaison to American Dental Partners Foundation when it came to endowment efforts with local hygiene programs to support dental hygiene student education.
Affiliate Hygiene Coordinator
American Dental Partners
08.2010 - 01.2013
- Trained and supported new hires on effective hygiene techniques and best practices within the dental setting.
- Facilitated on-going professional development for hygienists through servant leadership, one-on-one coaching, and by understanding their needs through effective listening.
- Fostered positive work environment for new hires by ensuring they felt welcomed and part of the team.
Education
Associate Of Applied Science In Dental Hygiene -
Lamar Institute of Technology
Beaumont, TX05.2007
Associate In Science -
Lee College
Baytown, TX05.2005
Skills
- Servant Leadership
- Change Management
- Strategic Planning
- Communication & Listening
- Detail Oriented & Goal Focused
- Clinical Education
Accomplishments
- OneADPI Shining Star Employee - 2016
- OneADPI Service Academy Graduate - 2017
- OneADPI Shining Star Employee - 2018
- Greater Houston Dental Hygiene Association, Corporate Relations Chair (Volunteer), 2018-2020
- OneADPI Shining Star Employee - 2019
- OneADPI Hygiene Leader of the Year - 2019
- OneADPI Leadership Institute Graduate (4-Year Program) - 2019
- Heartland Dental, Always Growing Award Recipient - 2022
- Heartland Dental, Director's Level Achievement - 2023
Timeline
Regional Hygiene Mentor of Operations
Heartland Dental
12.2021 - 04.2025
Quality Assurance Coordinator
American Dental Partners
05.2020 - 12.2021
Affiliate Hygiene Mentor
American Dental Partners
01.2013 - 12.2021
Affiliate Hygiene Coordinator
American Dental Partners
08.2010 - 01.2013
Registered Dental Hygienist
Carus Dental
08.2007 - Current
Associate Of Applied Science In Dental Hygiene -
Lamar Institute of Technology
Associate In Science -
Lee College