Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Teresa A. Lawler-Dement

AMARILLO,TEXAS

Summary

To enter into a growing and established dental office. By contributing my 25 years of experience in the dental field into your established practice; Also giving me a chance to grow and learn more about other areas of the dental practice.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Dental Hygienist

Advana Dental & Dentures
01.2014 - Current
  • Conducted thorough periodontal assessments to determine patient treatment needs.
  • Assisted in developing customized oral hygiene care plans for patients.
  • Educated patients on proper dental care techniques and preventive measures.
  • Performed routine dental cleanings using advanced ultrasonic instruments.
  • Conducted patient interviews and gathered patient medical and dental histories, adding to dental charts.
  • Educated patients on proper oral hygiene and nutrition and provided instructions for brushing, flossing and other preventive care.
  • Worked with dentists in developing and implementing personalized care plans for dental patients.
  • Collaborated with dentists to develop and implement individualized care plans for patients.
  • Advocated for importance of regular dental visits, increasing patient return rates.
  • Increased patient trust and comfort, explaining procedures and answering questions with empathy and clarity.
  • Reduced instances of periodontal disease with thorough assessment and personalized treatment plans.
  • Streamlined patient appointments by efficiently managing time and dental equipment.
  • Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques for improved dental health.
  • Assisted in reduction of dental anxieties through compassionate communication and patient education.
  • Improved appointment availability by optimizing scheduling system, reducing wait times for patients.
  • Correctly administered local anesthetic and adjunctive therapies such as fluoride treatments and irrigation.
  • Enhanced patient oral health by performing comprehensive dental cleanings and preventive treatments.
  • Maintained sterile and organized treatment areas to uphold safety and hygiene standards.
  • Executed detailed patient charting to track progress and treatment outcomes.
  • Conducted dental X-rays for diagnostic purposes, ensuring accurate treatment planning.
  • Facilitated smoother operations by restocking and preparing treatment rooms before each patient visit.
  • Administered topical anesthetics to patients' gums to prepare areas being worked on.
  • Provided specialized care for pediatric patients, ensuring their comfort during dental visits while fostering healthy habits from an early age.
  • Polished patients' teeth to remove surface stains.
  • Assisted dentist with various treatments, ensuring efficient completion of procedures and optimal patient comfort.
  • Educated patients on oral hygiene and care to prevent future dental issues.
  • Took and interpreted X-rays to identify cavities, impacted teeth and other dental issues.
  • Collaborated with the dental team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex conditions.
  • Carried out advanced dental cleaning services.
  • Applied fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities in both children and adults.
  • Promoted a welcoming environment by maintaining a clean and organized workspace, leading to increased patient satisfaction rates.
  • Utilized advanced digital radiography techniques to capture high-quality images for diagnostic purposes.
  • Captured patients' dental radiographs and provided to dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
  • Conducted oral cancer screenings during routine dental exams, resulting in early detection of potential issues.
  • Maintained accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in [Software].
  • Implemented effective infection control measures by sterilizing instruments and following strict protocols for cleanliness.
  • Improved and developed knowledge through continuing education courses and seminars.
  • Participated in continuing education courses to stay current on industry best practices and emerging technologies within the field of dental hygiene.
  • Improved patient oral health by conducting thorough dental cleanings and providing personalized home care instructions.
  • Applied fluoride and dental sealants to protect patients' teeth from decay.
  • Tailored individualized periodontal maintenance programs for patients suffering from gum disease or other related concerns.
  • Sterilized equipment to keep dental tools clean and safe for use, reducing risk of infection.
  • Enhanced patient experience by building rapport, addressing concerns, and explaining procedures in a professional manner.
  • Cleaned patient's teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
  • Maintained up-to-date patient records, including medical histories and treatment plans, to facilitate accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments.
  • Streamlined patient scheduling processes to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Implemented infection control protocols to ensure a safe clinical environment.

Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist

Familia Dental Center
02.2011 - 12.2013
  • Dental Assistant. Dental Hygienist. Along with training for the office manager.
  • Assisted the doctors with various general dental practice procedures: endo, oral surgery, restorations (amalgam, composite,), Perio. Prosthetics. I contribute my dental hygiene expertise with doing some of the perio deep scalings, FMD's and basic prophylaxis.
  • Very knowledgable about Insurance breakdowns. Familiar with dental codes used in the office. I know both Patterson and Dentrix software. Scheduling and confirming patients appt.s. Dental xrays digital and processed. Also worked mobile units all over the panhandle area.

Registered Dental Hygienist

KoolSmiles
04.2009 - 04.2010
  • I was reponsible for performing basic prophylaxis on children ages 6 months to 21 years of age. Oral hygiene education by demonstration of brushing and flossing technics for good dental health.
  • Help call patients back for their appt.s. Took basic xrays and pano. Daily charting on every patient seen by me. Help prep daily hygiene trays, sterilization of handpieces, instruments, as well as stocking dental hygiene room. Worked a 5 column schedule with patients scheduled every half hour.
  • Certified to apply pit and fissure sealants, as well as monitor N2O to patients.

Dental Hygienist

Black and Ruiz Dental Center
09.2006 - 04.2009
  • Performing basic prophylaxis, deep scaling's and root planing and FMD's on new and long established patients in a private general dental practice, Placed pit and fissure sealants. Applied fluorides and varnishes. Took basic xrays and full mouth xrays. Pano's. Gave oral health education to patients.
  • Helped call patients back for their appt.s. Took basic xrays and pano. Daily charting and notes on every patient seen by me. Help sterilization of handpieces, instruments;, as well as stocking dental rooms. Certified to apply pit and fissure sealants, as well as monitor N2O to patients.

Dental Hygienist

Dr. Lan Nguyen D.D.S.
08.2002 - 08.2006
  • Performed basic prophylaxis on all ages in this private dental practice. I worked two and half days. Did deep scalings as well as FMD's. Took all my patients xrays and ran them through a processor. Paper charting in this office on all patients. Perio charting on people requiring this type of exam. Responsible for all my sterilization of instruments and handpieces. Did some office work.
  • Called back own patients and recall. Scheduling and confirming appt.'s.

Education

Associate's - Applied Science, Dental Hygiene

Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
01.2000

High School Diploma -

Caprock High School
Amarillo, TX
05-1984

Skills

  • Ultrasonic instrumentation
  • Periodontal therapy
  • Local anesthesia administration
  • Sealant application
  • Oral cancer screening was taught in college during hygiene school Attending doctor normally implements the oral cancer screening

Affiliations

NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY DENTAL AFFILIATIONS AT THIS TIME.

Certification

  • REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST FOR STATE OF TEXAS SINCE 2000. ALL CERTIFICATIONS FOR MY DENTAL LICENSE IS CURRENT. INCLUDING CPR CERTIFICATION, CE'S 12 HOURS. N2O LIMITED TO MONITORING. PIT AND FISSURE CERTIFICATION EARNED IN 2000.
  • SCHEDULING AND CONFIRMING PATIENTS. UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE BREAKDOWNS AND COVERAGE.
  • FAMILIAR WITH EXCEL.WORD, POWERPOINT, PATTERSON DENTAL AND DENTRIX SOFTWARE PROGRAMS.
  • I HAVE 14 YEARS OF DENTAL EXPERIENCE.

Interests

I would like to get certifications in using lasers as part as periodontal treatment in the office As well as getting my certification to do local anesthesia infilteration

  • Dancing
  • I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles

Timeline

Dental Hygienist

Advana Dental & Dentures
01.2014 - Current

Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist

Familia Dental Center
02.2011 - 12.2013

Registered Dental Hygienist

KoolSmiles
04.2009 - 04.2010

Dental Hygienist

Black and Ruiz Dental Center
09.2006 - 04.2009

Dental Hygienist

Dr. Lan Nguyen D.D.S.
08.2002 - 08.2006

Associate's - Applied Science, Dental Hygiene

Amarillo College

High School Diploma -

Caprock High School
Teresa A. Lawler-Dement