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I was just curious because I am a dental assistant myself.. and also in the military..
may the odds ever be in your favor! how long you been a dental assistant?Dental assistant applying this cycle.
Me! I just started assisting like 3 weeks ago and I e-mailed the dental schools to let them know about my new job.
P.S. Thank you for your service! @dshen92129
I won't be applying hopefully by early 18' as soon as I start my DAT6 months. Yourself?
I have been a dental assistant for 8 years in the military. I have seen sooooooooooo much dentistry so I feel like that gives me a huge huge advantage. Plus, I work with like 100 or so dentist so information is everywhere, we also have most of the specialties in my clinic so i've seen pretty much seen everything.6 months. Yourself?
I have done ortho a few times since I've been in the military.. I find it kind of boring (etch,bond, composite, curing light x4, x5).. but that's just me.... I find ortho very repetitive but I know they make a ridiculous amount of money doing very little dental work.. not to insult any orthodontists out there.. I am pretty sure it takes an artistic eye to make sure everything is symmetricalI assist in an ortho office and am applying this year. It's been an amazing talking point in my interviews so far and the hand skills are hard to beat prior to a dental program.
where did you apply too??I also applied this cycle. Dental assistant for a little over a year now.
Rutgers, NYU, Temple, Columbia, VCU, and Stony Brook I have interviews for. And Pitt, Upenn, Buffalo, and Marquette I'm still waiting to hear back from.where did you apply too??
Rutgers, NYU, Temple, Columbia, VCU, and Stony Brook I have interviews for. And Pitt, Upenn, Buffalo, and Marquette I'm still waiting to hear back from.
Yeah. I am pretty sure I don't want to practice as an ortho, like, 95% sure ha.I have done ortho a few times since I've been in the military.. I find it kind of boring (etch,bond, composite, curing light x4, x5).. but that's just me.... I find ortho very repetitive but I know they make a ridiculous amount of money doing very little dental work.. not to insult any orthodontists out there.. I am pretty sure it takes an artistic eye to make sure everything is symmetrical
where to?DA for over a year. Applying this cycle.
Just a handful of schools, but I'll add more next cycle if it doesn't work out.where to?
I've had one interview so far so keeping my fingers crossed but I'm considering becoming a dental assistant / lab tech if I do not get accepted this cycle to continue to improve my application for the next cycle and gain dental experience. I've already had lots of dental shadowing and volunteering so figured my next step would be something more hands on. I've already graduated and am taking a few classes post bacc so figured it would be a good job to have between cycles.
So my question is for any current dental assistants / lab techs - how did you become one? Did you take a course to become certified or find a dentist to train you in their office?
Thanks!!
Thank you!! I'll definitely try that!!I live in an area where there are tons of dental offices so what I did was print about 10 copies of my resume and tried my luck by stopping by local offices to see if anyone was hiring. Luckily, about the 4th office I stopped at interviewed me right on the spot. Once I was hired I took a 3 month course and state exam to obtain my dental radiology licence. Everything else was on the job training. I really love it. Its a great experience and if you have the chance I strongly encourage you to do so.
that's pretty cool! You do get exposed to so much while you are a DA.. the job Is even better when you have a dentist who is willing to bring you under their wing!Over a year working as a DA. Applying this cycle! Learned soooooo much it's crazy. My bosses are such good teachers
Dental assistant applying this cycle!!I was just curious because I am a dental assistant myself.. and also in the military..
It really does cause we know instrument names, treatment room prep, safe disposal/treatment, making treatment plans, knowing tooth numbering system and giving proper (basic) oral hygiene instructions! Among many things and also we know codes and what different surfaces of the tooth are called (occlusal, buccal, lingual etc) I think knowing that stuff provides a huge asset when entering unfamiliar territory and transitioning lolDo you you think working as a DA gave you an advantage over other applicants? Even the ones who may be in clubs, etc?
It really does cause we know instrument names, treatment room prep, safe disposal/treatment, making treatment plans, knowing tooth numbering system and giving proper (basic) oral hygiene instructions! Among many things and also we know codes and what different surfaces of the tooth are called (occlusal, buccal, lingual etc) I think knowing that stuff provides a huge asset when entering unfamiliar territory and transitioning lol
I had to do a certification as well!That makes sense; going to dental school with some experience is better. Wish i could do that, but all jobs require certification over here
I think it would be an advantage once we start dental school. Its also possibly an advantage when applying because as stated above we are VERY familiar with the field of dentistry. But I think if you already applied this cycle and can get in without assisting, dental school will help you learn all of these skills as well. Its not like you need to assist before dental school but it certainly will give you a head start on a lot of the skills. NJ also requires x-ray cerification. I took a 3 month course and state exam for about $100 and got certified. I'm pretty sure this is typical of most states but some require you to be a CDA.
Wow that's crazy. Then again in NY you don't need any ceritfication.Three months?! Mine was one day in CA