Virginia PETTINE
Buzzards Bay
Summary
Detail-oriented Dental Assistant skilled in patient education and infection control protocols. Strong communicator dedicated to enhancing patient comfort and supporting dental procedures. Experienced in maintaining cleanliness and organization in treatment areas, ensuring efficient workflows. Committed to delivering exceptional patient experiences while adapting to fast-paced environments. Dedicated dental assistant with expertise in patient education and infection control protocols. Strong attention to detail and effective communication skills enhance patient experiences and streamline care processes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Assistant
GENTLE DENTAL CARE and other dental practices
Plymouth
04.1989 - 03.1999
- Provided chair side assistance to the dentist during a variety of dental procedures.
- Assisted dentists during procedures by preparing instruments and materials.
- Educated patients on oral hygiene and post-treatment care instructions.
- Instructed patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain oral health.
- Provided post-operative instructions to patients regarding medications, diet, restorative care, homecare instructions.
- Engaged with patients to assess needs and expectations, promoting tailored care.
- Facilitated communication between dentist and patients, clarifying dental procedures and care plans.
- Conducted preliminary examinations, gathering patient medical histories accurately.
- Took and recorded patient medical and dental histories and vital signs.
- Coordinated with dental team members to streamline patient care processes.
- Observed infection control protocols while performing work duties.
- Sterilized dental instruments and maintained a clean work environment consistently.
- Maintained an organized and clean environment in the dental office, including sterilizing instruments and equipment.
- Prepared treatment rooms for dental procedures by setting up instruments, equipment, and materials needed for each procedure.
- Took bitewing, periapical, panoramic and occlusal X-rays and prepared for dentists to review.
- Broke down and set up equipment and sanitized various dental tools.
- Entered patient data into dental records system and observed confidentiality rules to maintain patient privacy.
- Promptly reported any changes or concerns about a patient's condition to the dentist or hygienist.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate optimal patient care plans.
- Conducted inventory of all supplies used in the clinic area daily.
- Managed dental office inventory by ordering supplies and maintaining dental materials.
- Participated in dental procedure preparations by mixing fillings and other materials.
- Performed routine laboratory duties such as pouring impression materials and fabricating temporary crowns and bridges.
- Performed impressions of patients' teeth for study casts.
- Cleaned and polished removable dentures, brackets, wires and other appliances.
- Provided desensitizing agents to patients to enhance comfort before administering anesthesia.
- Ensured patient comfort before, during, and after dental procedures.
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of dental instruments and procedures.
- Offered patient education on proper oral hygiene strategies.
- Supported front office tasks, including answering phones and greeting patients warmly.
- Applied protective coating of fluoride to teeth during dental procedures.
Education
High School Diploma -
RANDOLPH HIGH
Randolph, MA06-1975
Skills
- Dental radiography
- Patient education
- Dental assisting
- Infection control protocols
- Treatment room preparation
- Collaborative teamwork
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Patient comfort assurance
- Temporary crown creation
- Restorative dentistry assistance
- HIPAA regulations
- Infection control procedures
- Exam room setups
- Infection control proficiency
- Restorative dentistry
- Oral surgery
- Oral surgery assistance
- Dental impression specialist
- Patient interaction
- Four-handed procedures
- Impression expertise
- Strong manual dexterity
- Dental materials selection
- Care management
- Prosthodontics assistance
- Room disinfection
- Pediatric dental care
- Endodontic procedure support
- OSHA compliance
- Nitrous oxide administration
- Patient management
- Sterilization techniques
- Orthodontic assistance
- Dental radiography techniques
- Patient counseling
- Periodontics
- Restorative procedures
- Sanitation protocols
- Care coordination
- Impression taking
Certification
- CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT, TAKING COURSES TO UPDATE AND USE IN MY WORK ENVIORNMENT, TEACHING WHAT I HAD LEARNED TO OTHERS NEEDING THE INFORMATION. ATTENDED DENTAL ASSISTANT SCHOOL RIGHT AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL. THE BRYMAN SCHOOL IN BROOLINE MASS WAS A PRIVATE SCHOOL, ATTENDING TO ALL ASPECTS OF ASSISTING THE DENTISTS NEEDS. A STRICT NINE MONTH COURSE CONCENTRATING ON, LAB, RADIOLOGY,PATIENT SKILLS, LEARNING STEILIZATION, POURING MODELS AND TRIMMING. ANSWERING PHONES, MAKING SURE OF PATIENT COMFORT AND EASE OF PROCEEDURES, AND BEFORE GRADUATING BEING TESTED AND GIVEN ALL PROPER INDTUCTIONS TO BECOME A DENTAL ASSISANT ALL DENDISTS COULD USE REGARDLESS OF THEIR CHOICE OF DENTAL TALENTS( ENDODONTICS, PEDIATRIC, PERIODONTICS, CROWN AND BRIDGE, ALONG WITH ORAL SURGERY AND NEW TYPES OF ORTHODONTURE. AND ANY NEW GENERAL DENTISTRY. HAVING OVER TWENTY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE I FOUND MY CAREER TO BE EXCITING AND MOST IMPORTANT PATIENT CARE, MY LAST OFFICE WAS EXCELLENT AT..THE PATIENT COMES FIRST MOTTO. ORTHODONTICS WITH THE CHILDREN WAS A FAVORITE ALONG WITH EDUCATING PATIENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HEALTH. FOLLOWING A PATIENT FROM THEIR CHOICE OF TREATMENT PLAN TO THE END OF TREATMENT, THERE WAS A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL MY FORMER PATIENTS, LOVED MY POSITION, CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR MY DOCTORS AND THE STAFF THAT CONSISTED OF OUR TEAM.
Timeline
Dental Assistant
GENTLE DENTAL CARE and other dental practices
04.1989 - 03.1999
High School Diploma -
RANDOLPH HIGH