Dental Assistant Jobs only for females? WTF?!!

[ArmoredTooth]

I've talked to adcoms over the phone this morning and asked them what kind of work I should be doing, since I'm soon to stop my post-bacc years and start working part time.

She said definitely DON"T work in retailing, at Macy's or bag groceries at a supermarket. Even doing the typical "starbucks" job as a college student does not look good on your application.

She told me to work in a dental office.

The dilemma here, is I'm a male, and all, I mean ALL the dental assistance I've met in my lifetime were females.

In my honests opinion, I think it's unfair that females get advantage to work as a dental assistant as well as receptionists, and pad their dental school application. I hate to sound like a misogynist (which I'm NOT!), but that's how I view things.

In fact my friend, a female (but not my GF!), is currently working for a dentist as an assistant. She asked the dentist if I could also work for him as a dental assistant. Guess what he said? (Hint: he's a guy-hater). He said that males are stupid and don't have good hand skills. My friend was like "whoa buddy, calm down!"

I'm ranting about this because I'm thinking of finding a full-time dental assistant job starting in January.

Me being a previous pre-law student, also view this as pure job discrimination. 😡

Should I hire an attorney and sue any dentists who refuse to hire me as an assistant due to my gender?

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[DDS:)]

I've been to few dental offices for shadowing, they all have male dental assistance. So I dont think dental assisting job are only for females. U can always try other dental office. Good luck~

 

[La Miraflorina]

I've talked to adcoms over the phone this morning and asked them what kind of work I should be doing, since I'm soon to stop my post-bacc years and start working part time.

She said definitely DON"T work in retailing, at Macy's or bag groceries at a supermarket. Even doing the typical "starbucks" job as a college student does not look good on your application.

She told me to work in a dental office.

The dilemma here, is I'm a male, and all, I mean ALL the dental assistance I've met in my lifetime were females.

In my honests opinion, I think it's unfair that females get advantage to work as a dental assistant as well as receptionists, and pad their dental school application. I hate to sound like a misogynist (which I'm NOT!), but that's how I view things.

In fact my friend, a female (but not my GF!), is currently working for a dentist as an assistant. She asked the dentist if I could also work for him as a dental assistant. Guess what he said? (Hint: he's a guy-hater). He said that males are stupid and don't have good hand skills. My friend was like "whoa buddy, calm down!"

I'm ranting about this because I'm thinking of finding a full-time dental assistant job starting in January.

Me being a previous pre-law student, also view this as pure job discrimination. 😡

Should I hire an attorney and sue any dentists who refuse to hire me as an assistant due to my gender?

No, don't hire an attorney. Your friend's dentist is just an a$$ to say that about men. But there are reasons many male dentists hire only female assistants: Male dentists have to worry about sexual harrassment charges and they need a female present in the room while working or even just talking to female patients. I used to work for both a female and a male dentist and I used to hate it when the male dentist had to sit and explain things to female patients because I had to sit there and just observe and basically be a witness.

Go apply with female dentists. They should be able to hire you without any problems. Or you could apply to be a receptionist... you learn a ton about insurance policies and office managment.

 

[Siubking]

dental assistants are mostly females because:

1) males don't like to be touched by other males

2) females don't like to be touched by males

I actually heard this from a dentist, does that answer your question?

 

[Notoriousjae]

this is what you do. Since they prefer females as dental assistants you pretend to be a female. get a fake wig,some fake boobs,lipstick and slap on a dress. this way you can beat the system. I'm not sure if you'd make one ugly female with that getup but who cares you get the job 😀 If you need any tips on cross dressing watch the movie Mrs Doubtfire. 👍

 

[dentwannabe]

Yea, I assisted at an oral surgery office, and sometimes I felt wierd, but none of the doctors ever said anything. Many times I would be grabbing the chin to stabilize the face or holding the head from the top if it was a tough extraction. I think most likely you'd get hired as a male in an oral surgery office or other specialty office because they don't have to worry THAT MUCH about patient comfort since the patients come to them (they're specialists). Also, many patients were too drugged to tell if I was male or female, lol.

best of luck. keep trying you'll get something. like i said, hit up those specialty offices.

 

[tinman831]

He said that males are stupid and don't have good hand skills.

Heh. and yet HE is a DENTIST. 🙄

 

[aggie.teacher]

I know some guys who worked as "lab techs" in offices, pouring, trimming, and prepping models to send out, stocking the lab etc. This might be an option.

 

[aggie-master]

dental assistants are mostly females because:

1) males don't like to be touched by other males

2) females don't like to be touched by males

I actually heard this from a dentist, does that answer your question?

This is true, for me at least.

 

[polarnut]

when i went to RDA school, more than 40% of the students were males. since then, i've been working as dental assistant the past 2 years and i havent encountered one problem in regards to my gender.

 

[polarnut]

dental assistants are mostly females because:

1) males don't like to be touched by other males

2) females don't like to be touched by males

I actually heard this from a dentist, does that answer your question?

if this is the case, then i guess all the male dentists are pretty much screwed, huh. since dentists actually do more "touching" than the assistants. man, i'd stay far away from the dentist you're talkin about. sounds like he's a real meathead.

 

[Sprgrover]

...Should I hire an attorney and sue any dentists who refuse to hire me as an assistant due to my gender?

No, don't hire an attorney and mire yourself in needless litigation. That issue aside, what matters most is not where you get your paycheck but rather experience. Shadowing is an excellent way to gain an understanding of the dental profession. If your dental assistant job search comes up empty go and get a job elsewhere and then shadow on your days off - trust me, I've successfully played the admissions game and adcoms do not care how you put food on your table (well, as long as it is legal). If you did it as an assistant, great, but the vast majority of dental students did not hold down jobs as dental assistants or the such prior to matriculating into dental school. Just remember your experience as a pre-dent when you are out practicing and a male pre-dental student comes knocking on your door. 😉

 

[tom_servo_dds]

Heh. and yet HE is a DENTIST. 🙄

That's what I was thinking! 😀

 

[armorshell]

Male dental assistant checking in 😉

 

[polarnut]

Just remember your experience as a pre-dent when you are out practicing and a male pre-dental student comes knocking on your door. 😉

yeah, being an assistant really is going to benefit me when i become a dentist. not only will i know what i expect from my assistants, but what they expect from me.

 

[KOM]

Me being a previous pre-law student, also view this as pure job discrimination. 😡

Should I hire an attorney and sue any dentists who refuse to hire me as an assistant due to my gender?

I think you should grow up...having been a pre-law student why would you want to join the masses of frivolous lawsuits out there. If a few dentists don't want to hire you because of your "man hands" then that's there perogative. Jeeze....

 

[Lidopaine82]

I think you should grow up...having been a pre-law student why would you want to join the masses of frivolous lawsuits out there. If a few dentists don't want to hire you because of your "man hands" then that's there perogative. Jeeze....

amen

 

[ArmoredTooth]

I think you should grow up...having been a pre-law student why would you want to join the masses of frivolous lawsuits out there. If a few dentists don't want to hire you because of your "man hands" then that's there perogative. Jeeze....

Yada yada yada. Whatevers.

I think it's pure discrimination to only hire females as dental assistant. Where I'm from, a lot of the dental offices only hire females as dental assistant.

This causes a dilemma for male dental school applicants who want to get HANDS-ON experience rather than standing around like a dumby shadowing a dentist.

The thing is I already have been shadowing for over 200 hours. I've shadowed at a dental clinic in a hospital. I've observed and had hands-on experience at a dental lab. I've observed dentists work in a joint practice.

I've also assisted (voluntary basis) a dentist do suctioning, which is NOT enough for me.

Several "females" in my predental club have been accepted to dental schools, not only because of their GPA, but because of the fact that they've worked as a dental assistance. I want that same opportunity!

 

[ArmoredTooth]

No, don't hire an attorney and mire yourself in needless litigation. That issue aside, what matters most is not where you get your paycheck but rather experience. Shadowing is an excellent way to gain an understanding of the dental profession. If your dental assistant job search comes up empty go and get a job elsewhere and then shadow on your days off - trust me, I've successfully played the admissions game and adcoms do not care how you put food on your table (well, as long as it is legal). If you did it as an assistant, great, but the vast majority of dental students did not hold down jobs as dental assistants or the such prior to matriculating into dental school. Just remember your experience as a pre-dent when you are out practicing and a male pre-dental student comes knocking on your door. 😉

Sprgrover, I've already done shadowing, TONS of shadowing that I have over 200 hours. I'm dead serious, and I'm getting sick and tired of standing up watching over dentists' head to see them place amalgams into patients' teeth. F_cking boring.

I've also shadowed a joint-private practice where four dentists work together. BOOOORRRRIIINNNNGGGG. I shadowed there for approx 110 hours.

I've also been introduced to a private dentist who was kind enough to let me assist him, although this is on a voluntary basis.

Guys, the thing I'm getting at is I don't have a job, I have already graduated from college two years ago with a Business Degree, my mom and dad are arguing over $$$$$ almost everyday because my dad is a postman for hte US Postal Service, he's getting old (he's currently 63 years old), my mom's getting old, she likes to whine to me, she's a hair dresser and tells me how she hates smelling perm solution (which gives her allergies), etc.

I basically want a job, something related to dentistry or health. My dentist told me (he's just trying to be nice and PC) to not work in a dental-related job and find another job. The thing is, he applied to dental school in 1960-something when dental school admissions was not competitive. Now, dental school admissions is ****ing competitive.

So rather than filling peope's cup with coffee at Starbucks, or bagging groceries at a supermarket for pennies, why not work as a dental assistant?

The thing that's bothering me is the gender-discrimination part when it comes to hiring a dental assistant. It shouldn't happen, and regardless of your hand-abilities, I ought to be given a dental assistant job when I want one. 😡

 

[Greco28]

Sprgrover, I've already done shadowing, TONS of shadowing that I have over 200 hours. I'm dead serious, and I'm getting sick and tired of standing up watching over dentists' head to see them place amalgams into patients' teeth. F_cking boring.

I've also shadowed a joint-private practice where four dentists work together. BOOOORRRRIIINNNNGGGG. I shadowed there for approx 110 hours.

I've also been introduced to a private dentist who was kind enough to let me assist him, although this is on a voluntary basis.

Guys, the thing I'm getting at is I don't have a job, I have already graduated from college two years ago with a Business Degree, my mom and dad are arguing over $$$$$ almost everyday because my dad is a postman for hte US Postal Service, he's getting old (he's currently 63 years old), my mom's getting old, she likes to whine to me, she's a hair dresser and tells me how she hates smelling perm solution (which gives her allergies), etc.

I basically want a job, something related to dentistry or health. My dentist told me (he's just trying to be nice and PC) to not work in a dental-related job and find another job. The thing is, he applied to dental school in 1960-something when dental school admissions was not competitive. Now, dental school admissions is ****ing competitive.

So rather than filling peope's cup with coffee at Starbucks, or bagging groceries at a supermarket for pennies, why not work as a dental assistant?

The thing that's bothering me is the gender-discrimination part when it comes to hiring a dental assistant. It shouldn't happen, and regardless of your hand-abilities, I ought to be given a dental assistant job when I want one. 😡

Well, another issue you are bound to have is the fact that you don't really have any experience as an assistant which is a requirement for most positions as an assistant. I believe your 200+ hours are sufficient enough for applying to dental school. My suggestion to you is: find some other type of work for now and in the meantime, continue looking for possible assistant positions.

 

[KOM]

Well, another issue you are bound to have is the fact that you don't really have any experience as an assistant which is a requirement for most positions as an assistant. I believe your 200+ hours are sufficient enough for applying to dental school. My suggestion to you is: find some other type of work for now and in the meantime, continue looking for possible assistant positions.

Exactly...a lot of the people that you read about falling into dental assisting jobs simply got lucky. Also, more than likely the dentists you talked to already had dental assistants...should they just go ahead and fire them or give them less hours just to make way for your needs?

There's other jobs out there that can give you practical experience relating to dentistry. For example, I work in the research department of a pharmaceutical industry. As a chemist I'm using pipets, syringes, vials, washing, sanitizing, etc. There's lots of alternatives out there...look for something unique to you. Go work with your mom and help cut hair...write an essay about how you're "Edward Scissorhands" and there ya go. Go pick up dead birds around your house and do some avian taxidermy. LOL. Just do something like this guy said while you're waiting.

Go travel to a developing country and you'll see how so many Americans want something for nothing. So stop threatening lawsuits.

 

[Notoriousjae]

Exactly...a lot of the people that you read about falling into dental assisting jobs simply got lucky. Also, more than likely the dentists you talked to already had dental assistants...should they just go ahead and fire them or give them less hours just to make way for your needs?

There's other jobs out there that can give you practical experience relating to dentistry. For example, I work in the research department of a pharmaceutical industry. As a chemist I'm using pipets, syringes, vials, washing, sanitizing, etc. There's lots of alternatives out there...look for something unique to you. Go work with your mom and help cut hair...write an essay about how you're "Edward Scissorhands" and there ya go. Go pick up dead birds around your house and do some avian taxidermy. LOL. Just do something like this guy said while you're waiting.

Go travel to a developing country and you'll see how so many Americans want something for nothing. So stop threatening lawsuits.

thats one of the reasons i didnt have a serious reply to this post because it seemed kind of ridiculous to me that someone would want to sue a dentist just because he denied you a dental assistant position.Just move on buddy i'm sure you can try other places and even if you dont get a dental assistant job, its not the only thing stopping you from getting into dental school.

 

[CorneliusFudge]

It may not be so much the fact that you are a guy, but the fact that you are a guy who is about to go to dental school. Why would a dentist want to spend all that time and energy training a new assistant who isn't going to be around more than a year or two?

 

[NileBDS]

It may not be so much the fact that you are a guy, but the fact that you are a guy who is about to go to dental school. Why would a dentist want to spend all that time and energy training a new assistant who isn't going to be around more than a year or two?

Jackpot !

 

[NileBDS]

.............. But there are reasons many male dentists hire only female assistants: Male dentists have to worry about sexual harrassment charges and they need a female present in the room while working or even just talking to female patients. I used to work for both a female and a male dentist and I used to hate it when the male dentist had to sit and explain things to female patients because I had to sit there and just observe and basically be a witness.

Go apply with female dentists. They should be able to hire you without any problems. Or you could apply to be a receptionist... you learn a ton about insurance policies and office managment.

This is painfully true.

 

[NileBDS]

Now I’ll just throw in my personal opinion on all this.
I have worked as a dental assistant for the past 3 years, and let me tell you, no matter what anyone else will, it is hard a hell getting a job being a male.
I would not whine about it though, because you have plenty of positions where females face the same discrimination as well. Hate to admit it, but this is more of a feminine job (similar to nursing) ... but again, that's just me. If you plan on waging a whole sex-discrimination war -although totally legal- please take it somewhere else. We're trying to help this guy (OP) for now.

Now reality is that female dentists usually prefer male assistants and male dentists prefer females. Simple as that. It just makes your job more interesting, and makes it much easier for you to drag yourself into the office everyday at 7am.

What I would suggest is;
1. As someone else already did, apply to female dentist offices. Take my word on this one.
2. Most offices require that you have some sort of x-ray certification or assistant certification, which by the way are not that hard to get at all. It depends on what state you are in, and what programs are closest to you.
3. I know a lot of people would not agree on this one, but try not to tell them that you are just there for a month or 2. The truth is that no one will jeopardize his practice and patient comfort for you. If they know you will not be around for long, I am sure they would not even consider your application. I mean, come on ... put your practice in their shoes. You’re in business not non-profit.

I personally got the yellow pages, called all the numbers I could get, and tried to get fax numbers too and just started shooting resumes. To no ones surprise, only female dentists offices returned any of my calls.
You also might have to start at a lower wage than the average assistant (at least during your probation period), but you should be able to manage from there on, specially with some experience.

I hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything else please. I know exactly how it feels. It goes both ways. Now you know how women feel like at lots of jobs too.
I think overall it was a great 'sensitivity training'.

Assisting male dentists is awkward as hell anyways, and I am not even sure that I myself would have been comfortable with it.

PS: You will find much more male assistants in big cities or metro areas. It should make your hunt a bit easier. And bythe way, to a lesser extent, the same goes for male hygienists. We had a list of patients (which was not short) whom preferred a female hygienist over our current male one. We had to schedule a female hygienist on the weekends to come and do their cleanings.
It is real.

 

[Yellow Snow]

I think the OP is way over dramitizing the advantaged gained by dental school applicants with assisting experience. In all of the many disclosures made by dental schools regarding their acceptance criteria no one has ever mentioned assisting.

You can gain the same advantage, if any exists, in any health care job working with either direct patient contact, biological fluids or some sort of research. It just shows that you are into health care. Get a job in a medical lab (that is what I do). It certainly pays better than $10/hr assisting which is the going rate in this part of the country. People are begging dentists to assist so the wages are really poor.

 

[Steve19]

I had the same problem...I shadowed a dentist for almost 4 months..who's a friend of the family.. I was doing the same job as his assisstants ( all of them are females )..he was telling me that the only way to learn and pick up on dentistry is to do the work myself....he even asked his assistances to let me do their job for a while......then I asked him if I can work as a dental assistant in his office , but he replyed that there was no empty positions.. ....i was ok with that...untill he hired a high school girl...at first i thought she was a pre-dental student that was shadowing him......i start askin her about the DAT and school..etc....but i found out that she is not going to dentistry..infact she was goin' to be an x-ray tech.....and that she wasn't shadowing him...but it was her part time job... 😡 😡 ...it really made me mad for a while...but ...there was nothing i can do about it.. 😕..just get over it 😳

 

[Greco28]

It may not be so much the fact that you are a guy, but the fact that you are a guy who is about to go to dental school. Why would a dentist want to spend all that time and energy training a new assistant who isn't going to be around more than a year or two?

Touche...

 

[ArmoredTooth]

Now I’ll just throw in my personal opinion on all this.
I have worked as a dental assistant for the past 3 years, and let me tell you, no matter what anyone else will, it is hard a hell getting a job being a male.
I would not whine about it though, because you have plenty of positions where females face the same discrimination as well. Hate to admit it, but this is more of a feminine job (similar to nursing) ... but again, that's just me. If you plan on waging a whole sex-discrimination war -although totally legal- please take it somewhere else. We're trying to help this guy (OP) for now.

I appreciate your help, unlike these other posters who are simply jumping on the band wagon to bash me.

But really, this pisses the sh_t out of me when a dentist doesn't respond to my faxed resume.

I look in newspaper ads for dental assistant jobs, fax them my resume, and I'm a college graduate, but they never have responded to my resume. F-ck them. I had that kind of cold response from a dental clinic. In fact this dental clinic has many branches throughout my town that I was a patient of this clinic. After they did not respond to my calls and faxed resume, I stopped going to their office (as a way of boycotting these half-a$$ dentists) and called my insurance company to change my provider.

Anyhow, I will look into working for female dentists.

 

[ArmoredTooth]

I think the OP is way over dramitizing the advantaged gained by dental school applicants with assisting experience. In all of the many disclosures made by dental schools regarding their acceptance criteria no one has ever mentioned assisting.

Yes, dental school adcoms have told me that they prefer that I find a job related to dentistry, rather than working at Macy's retail department or other non-dental related jobs.

This is why I assist a private dentist once or twice a month. But this is on a voluntary basis.

I am old, my dad is telling me to find a job, and I want to find a dental related job, and it's going to be dental assistant, or bust. That's my hard stance as of now.

I don't want to do medical research (although I have no research under my belt) because those programs have such sh_tty stipend and don't pay for my food and transportation.

ANyhow, I'm just going to look in the newspaper ads, ask if the freaking dentist is a female (when the majority of the time it's a male dentist), and look for a job.

Otherwise, if I don't get hired, those dentists who didn't hire me will see splattered eggs all over their window the next day. 👍