Karen Allen

I am a reliable, energetic professional with 8 years combined experience working chair side and in office administration. I have the ability to work independently; I posses strong self-motivation skills, I am able to manage time appropriately, communicate clearly, adapt, and collaborate effectively. Patient care is why I am in this field.

I love ensuring that patients are comfortable, educated and empowered during each interaction. I am able to converse positively with people from all walks of life, being personable while also conveying professionalism. Prior military spouse with a history of consistent relocation.

I am stabilized now, however this provided me with the opportunity to meet/work with people from various backgrounds, with 3 years even being spent in the EU.

Surgical RDA - Pylant Periodontics

(2023-08)

• Assisted the periodontist/dentist with various tasks during surgical procedures, like passing instruments, suctioning debris, and administering topical anesthetics.
• Examples of procedures include GBR, GTR, FME, implant placement w/BG, explant, Gingivectomy, Crown lengthening, CTG and FTG.
• Monitored the patient's vital signs during the procedure (e.g., pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) to ensure their safety and comfort.
• Maintained a sterile environment by ensuring proper sterilization and organization of instruments and equipment.
• Assisted in taking and developing x-rays, if needed, to monitor the patient's condition and surgical progress. To include Pano and CBCT.
• Effectively communicated with periodontists during procedures in an effort to ensure efficiency, accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepared patients for surgery, including reviewing their medical history, obtaining informed consent, and providing pre-operative instructions.
• Assisted with post-operative care by providing instructions on wound care, medication, and follow-up appointments.
• Maintained accurate patient records, including procedures performed, medications, and any pertinent notes.
• Educated patients about oral health, the procedure, and post-operative care instructions.
• Properly sterilized and prepared instruments and equipment for use in surgical procedures.
• Maintained and managed dental supplies and equipment.
• Set up surgical room with required instruments based on scheduled procedure/doctor preferences.
• Turned over room/disinfected/sanitized room appropriately while disposing of biohazard materials appropriately.
• Assisted with scheduling appointments and coordinating with other dental staff.
• Acquired patient medical and dental histories while providing a comfortable, supportive and professional experience.
• Assisted with periodontal exams. To include accurate findings noted by provider, patient accounts: 40wpm and charting. (POD's, BOP, CAL, gingival margin, furcation and mobility.)
• Maintained accurate and up-to-date patient records.
• Communicated with patients and their families based on patients specific treatment.
• Performed clerical tasks, such as answering phones and filing paperwork.
• Ensured that the dental office runs smoothly and efficiently.

Surgical care coordinator - Nuvia Dental Implant Center

(2022-11 - 2023-08)

• Acted as a liaison between established patients and their provider with any requests they may need pertaining to their care (Record information into EMR systems, schedule appointments, request medication refills, etc.)
• Educated patients on their established treatment plan and inform them if changes occur.
• I am patient obsessed: This is apparent in each interaction I have with patients. Examples include assisting with paperwork, following up on previously held conversations or questions, and effectively communicating in a personable yet professional way to ensure a positive and trusting relationship.
• I strongly believe that unity in a team is vital. I communicate effectively with both clinical and administrative staff to increase the clinic's overall efficiency while promoting exceptional patient care. Being readily available for questions from other teammates, providing answers, and if unknown to me, guiding them to someone or something (mini maps, training manuals, etc.) that can provide them with further clarity.
• I am constantly thinking of ways to be more methodical in my day-to-day. Ways I have done this include creating templates, processes and encourage patient feedback authentically.
• Worked closely with the surgical team to ensure a smooth flow from treatment acceptance, patient education, treatment and follow up.
• Completed clerical task that include scanning, chart notes and scheduling.
• Completed pre and post op calls.
• Entered post surgical data.
• Collaborated with surgeons, prosthodontist and anesthesiologist to ensure smooth treatment completion.
• Checked patient in and out.
• Discussed treatment plans and collected payment.
• Took the appropriate step to ensure the surgery schedules is filled to capacity.

RDA/care coordinator - Sleep Better Austin

(2021-03 - 2021-12)

• Ensured that all required forms were correctly filled out and registered, increasing insurance compliance.
• Responded to multiple patient inbound calls and streamlined address/phone number information retrieval.
• Increased patient efficiency by handling patient records improving the filling layout, and marking files which streamlined file management by 12%
• Completed telemedicine visits with patients remotely.
• Updated and documented patient charts.
• Scheduled, rescheduled, and canceled patient appointments.
• Educated patients on sleep apnea and how it affects their health.
• Educated patients on treatment options for sleep apnea.
• Educated patients on oral appliance therapy
• Took PERFECT PVS impressions just like Misalign / Trios Scanner digital impressions.
• Fitted and adjusted oral appliances
• Helped arrange financial options and payments with patients.
• Followed up with patients, team members, and physicians
• Processed payments
• Scheduled patients
• Problem-solving
• Administrative tasks including charting, scanning documents into patient's file and completing and submitting proper provider notes.
• Setting up and breaking down patient exam rooms.
• Sterilized and stored equipment per regulations.
• Took panoramic X-rays as well as CBCT scans.
• Familiar with open dental, dentrix and Mac OS

Sleep program director - Austin Sleep Solutions

(2021-07 - 2022-03)

I partnered with Sleep better Austin to run this program 2-3 times a week while clinically assisting on the other days.

• Implemented a custom patient follow-up process via Leading Reach.
• Within four months, increased patient response rate by 130%, resulting in a 15K increase in revenue.
• Executed and maintained high-visibility projects that improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
• Created excel spreads to accurately keep track of expenditures, plan budgets, and chart daily data.
• Coordinated provider schedules to support excellent patient care while encouraging clinical expansion.
• Ensured providers received thorough information daily regarding approximately 26 patients to maintain a systematic flow throughout the day.
• Researched patient charts in detail to adequately brief providers regarding diagnosis and chief complaints.
• Processed data information quickly and efficiently.
• Verified insurance benefits
• Managed and resolve open patient tasks.
• Updated patient records.
• Followed up on patient call-backs, scheduled appointments, and concerns or per providers' request.
• Completed prior authorization
• Input information into several patient charts per the provider's request.
• Scheduled patients for follow-up appointments.
• Scanned vital and sensitive information into patient charts and to 3rd party companies.
• Created and faxed orders to the appropriate party promptly.
• Planned and led team meetings with 10 to foster company growth and efficiency.
• Communicated with co-workers and leadership on ways to set goals and ways to reach said goals.
• Communicated policy and procedure changes to team members and providers.
• Counseled patients in person, via telephone, and telemedicine.
• Completed administrative tasks each day to ensure the program was a success.
• Researched, calmed, and rapidly resolved client conflicts to prevent the loss of key accounts.
• Trained new employees on proper media usage and company standards.
• Ability to interact and effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, highlighting teamwork and problem-solving.
• Ability to adapt to many different environments and or scenarios.
• Acted as a liaison between doctors and staff for routine matters such as time off, schedule changes, policies and procedures questions, special projects, etc
• Answered telephone calls, correspondence, and emails.
• Reviewed schedule to make sure appointments were scheduled properly
• Manage and maintain databases (e.g. CRM, Excel).

RDA - Dental Assisting (2017)