Dental Assistant

[dancer17]

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Hi everyone,
Currently taking a gap semester. I want to be a dental assistant but all the offices that are hiring near me require 2-3 years of prior assisting experience 🙁 are there any websites besides indeed/craigslist that I can look for job openings where they'll be willing to train on the spot?

 

[Count_Plaqula]

call around to all your local dental offices and ask if they would be willing to hire you or if they know of any offices looking for a dental assistant.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Only a gap semester? I feel like most offices who are in need of dental assistants would like to hire someone who could stay there long term rather than a few months. If you really want to be a DA though, I would suggest doing what the above poster mentioned and see if anyone is looking for a temp.

 

[JLT223]

Do you have any family or family friends who own a practice?

 

[ncide]

When I first started out, I sent out about 40 applications and heard back from two. I started working part time at both offices but barely got more than 15 hours a week. I gathered as much as experience as I could and kept applying. I didn't give up.

Today I work alongside 5 specialists and see dozens of patients a week.

Dentists will train you if they see that you have the drive for it.

 

[fogorvostan]

Do you have all of your shadowing hours done? It may be possible that you can start shadowing a few different places and establish relationships. The dentist you shadow may be able to offer you a position or able to recommend you to another dentist who is looking.

 

[dancer17]

Thanks for all the feedback! Yes, I have all my shadowing hours done (I was accepted this cycle) so this semester I'm trying to find some kind of job or dental internship (in addition to traveling and enjoying before dental school🙂)

 

[allantois]

You don't need it