dental assistant/shadowing

[ak47]

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Happy new year everyone. I work as a dental assistant for a general dentist...And I've worked for an orthodontist. I have shadowed persay....but I've chair-side assisted - do I need to be do actual shadowing? Thanks

 

[Fonz]

I would say no. Having hands-on experience is what adcoms would rather see anyways

 

[USU24]

I too assited for quite a while, but I also shadowed "to get a broader picture of the dental profession". I still listed my assisting under "dental experience" but the way I look at it is, schools want shadowing, I got shadowing. So, yeah, do it.

 

[denticus]

I would say no. Having hands-on experience is what adcoms would rather see anyways

So have you decided where you want to go yet Fonz?

 

[ibeflossin]

I would say no. Having hands-on experience is what adcoms would rather see anyways

Agreed, and as an assistant you are "shadowing" because you can't do everything the doctor can. 😀

 

[Fonz]

So have you decided where you want to go yet Fonz?

After much deliberation I have decided to go to UCLA. I'll be filling out all the stuff online later tonight.

 

[Composite A2]

I have dental assisted and shadowed. And I think dental assisting would be fine, it is the same thing. Besides shadowing after awhile gets kind of boring and redundant.

 

[FutureDMD1234]

Does a dental assistant must have a x-ray license to take x-rays because of state laws?

 

[rkamsterdam]

Happy new year everyone. I work as a dental assistant for a general dentist...And I've worked for an orthodontist. I have shadowed persay....but I've chair-side assisted - do I need to be do actual shadowing? Thanks

I think having work experience esp as an assistant is very important (looks awesome on your app). While it is recommended to observe a variety of dental practices via shadowing, shadowing at its best still gives a somewhat superficial view of dentistry.

Work experience, however, exposes one to a much greater knowledge of clinical dentistry, the business stuff, the dynamic of the dentist(s), staff and pts, etc.

 

[ak47]

Does a dental assistant must have a x-ray license to take x-rays because of state laws?

I don't have a license (I'm in Illinois). I got on the job training but not sure

 

[Montserrat]

Does a dental assistant must have a x-ray license to take x-rays because of state laws?

Like you said, it depends on the state law. In New York, dental assistant don't have to be x-ray certified. Heck, most dental assistants in NY aren't even dental assistant certified. Certification only allows them to assist to a greater degree (ie. rubber dam placement, etc), but most dentists who hire here don't really care for it.