Dental assistant

[Jo07]

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For those of you who are assistants... how much are you making and in which field-general, oral surgery, pediatric ect.??

 

[jigabodo]

I might be working as a GP assistant in the near future until I go to dental school. I think I am getting 9 bucks per hour.

 

[ought2sleep]

GP, 19/hr (I live in northern va though)

 

[drtoothy]

general, 12/hour

 

[jigabodo]

WTH????????????????? I feel like I am getting shafted. 😡

 

[Kavidee]

WTH????????????????? I feel like I am getting shafted. 😡

you are! lol 😛 Getting 17/hr in NorCal for a GP.

 

[Plugger27]

I was getting $15 per hour plus medical insurance ($145/month) and 7 days paid vacation for a general dentist.

 

[jigabodo]

Damn it! Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I quit.

 

[ought2sleep]

Jigabodo, I kinda think you getting shafted too.

How long are you planning on assisting? The experience and the training the dentist is probably going to give you is definitely worthwhile in my opinion. If you're just doing this as a summer job or something that could also be a big part of the reason why your pay might be lower -- because by the time you're trained you'll be leaving!

I've also noticed there is a huge range in pay for dental assistants...it really seems to depend on the dentists, what kind of practice they run, and how much responsibility you have.

 

[jigabodo]

Jigabodo, I kinda think you getting shafted too.

How long are you planning on assisting? The experience and the training the dentist is probably going to give you is definitely worthwhile in my opinion. If you're just doing this as a summer job or something that could also be a big part of the reason why your pay might be lower -- because by the time you're trained you'll be leaving!

I've also noticed there is a huge range in pay for dental assistants...it really seems to depend on the dentists, what kind of practice they run, and how much responsibility you have.

I've been there for a while actually. Initially I was just there to shadow, but since last year I began to help out on other stuff as well. It was never for money until now that I finally asked for it.

I already know how to set up and clean up the room afterwards. I can do some chair side assisting, answer phones and schedule appointments etc. I can also sanitize stuff pretty well. I wouldn't say that I am a very competent assistant, but I think I've got the basic down. 😛

It probably has to do with me not being able to work there for a long time.

 

[blankguy]

Jigabodo,
you think you are getting shafted??
I am volunteering at an office and I pitch in cleaning the chairs and preparing the chairs for the next patient(minus the instruments). I do all that for free. I also help out in getting paperwork properly filed away.

 

[biienemaja]

I make $11 per hour. But, I am gonna ask for $12 per hour next time I work there. I don't wanna ask for more because I am not certified and I don't know how much I should be making for my level of experience though I have worked there for two years now.

 

[hashemiaan]

GP, 19/hr (I live in northern va though)

Do you have to have some sort of Certificate? or ...

 

[jigabodo]

Jigabodo,
you think you are getting shafted??
I am volunteering at an office and I pitch in cleaning the chairs and preparing the chairs for the next patient(minus the instruments). I do all that for free. I also help out in getting paperwork properly filed away.

That's what I've been doing too, and I was doing them all for free just like you too.

But I really need some money to survive these few months, ya know what I mean... 😉

 

[apollo2bd]

During the summer I make 10.50/hr assisting for an oral surgeon. Maybe pay would be higher elsewhere but him having me work there is a favor to me. He offered me the job after I shadowed him on summer break and one of his staff members was taking a maternity leave for the summer starting the next week, then he just let me come back as an extra assistant on his staff on summer break. Back then he must have figured it would give me good experience for applying to dental school. He also let me take off any time I wanted and go on 3 weeks of vacation so I would never even question my pay.

 

[ought2sleep]

I don't have an assisting certificate. He trained me for about 20 hours before I started work and then the rest was on-the-job training. I've been working there since July. I am x-ray certified.

I am responsible for a lot...I am the dentist's only assistant..we usually have our room plus a room of hygiene half the time. I assist during all procedures, do all sterilization, all xrays (including full mouth), polish teeth and floss, make temps, take impressions, setup and take down rooms, etc.

I started at 18 and then he bumped me up to 19 after three months. I had no idea I was getting paid more than a lot of people until this thread..so I guess I lucked out =).

 

[tekstyle]

i am the only assistant too in my office so I have to handle front and back office work. I do assist chairside and all that. I don't get much, $12 for being in SF and I don't ask for raises. no medical benefits. Shafted yes, but if it isn't you or me, someone else will take it.

 

[jigabodo]

i am the only assistant too in my office so I have to handle front and back office work. I do assist chairside and all that. I don't get much, $12 for being in SF and I don't ask for raises. no medical benefits. Shafted yes, but if it isn't you or me, someone else will take it.

I will take it. I consider SF to be my second home. 😉