Dentistry has several roles: The Dental Assistant (DA) is one of them.
Our job is to help the Dentist in your procedure. Our duties include setting up the treatment rooms, assist in the procedure by making sure all the instruments and materials are ready, and cleaning up and sterilizing when we're done.
The Dental Assistant can be accredited in two ways. First, through the Dental Assisting National Board. This is not arequirement, but all Dr. Tom's DAs are Certified Dental Assitants (CDA). As of July 2008, all DAs must be registered with the State of Washington. You can look up any health care professional and check on their standings by going to https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/ Type in the name of the person you wish to check.
Other duties include keeping the office clean and organized, monitoring and ordering supplies, keeping all our materials and machines in good working order, and, most improtantly, making sure your time with us is as pleasant and non-stressful as possible.
Another role we can assist you in is as an advocate, or "translator". Please feel free to ask us any question, and we will help you to go through the process of dental health.
Hi! I'm Lisa. I've been one of Dr. Tom's Dental Assistants for about 1-1/2 years. I've been in Dental Assisting for 32 years, starting when I was a baby :-).
Dental Assisting has been a great career! I love what I do, and I hope it shows when you come to the office. I have taught Dental Assisting and am excited for the changes that are coming up in our future.
When I'm not here helping Dr. Tom, you can find me playing with my dogs. I have three English Pointers-- Chilli, Erin, and Daphne. We do performance events through the American Kennel Club (AKC.org) and generaly play alot. Look for pictures and brags about my girls. I'll be adding a 4th pup in the winter of 2009.
I grew up in Bothell, the seventh of nine kids. We all are here in Washington and get together with my mom often. I have 26 nephews and nieces, 6 great nieces. Thanksgiving is a bit crowded and nobody eats a hot meal, but that's part of the fun, right?
I love to read, knit and I do volunteer work in dentistry.