Dental Assisting Job

[bballrules]

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I am trying to find an assisting job this summer. I hope to learn more about dentistry and save up money at the same time. I wanted to ask people who have these jobs now if they have like an x-ray license or something. Are you guys certified as a RDA? Or do you just come in to help suction, clean chairs, and prepare the rooms/instruments for the dentist. I am planning on walking in to every dental practice and asking them if they need someone without experience. Thank you for your help.

 

[andrew0k]

Where are you from?
Each state is different in it's rule and regulation. I am from california and currently working as a RDA. I took two classes (x-ray & coronal polishing), then I just challenged the test (two sections one written and one practical). For the classes, I took them at dental professional of california. pm me if you want more info

 

[caffeinehigh]

It might be easiest to just go into dental offices and ask if you can work for free. Hard to turn down free labor, even if it is unskilled. You'll gain experience this way just as you would if you actually took classes and were getting paid.

 

[rose786]

With no experience, be prepared to do scut work like sterilization and cleaning. I started out that way, but with some initiative I've been able to get in the "action" and I've learned a lot.

Chat up some hygienists or assistants and see if they know a dentist who hires those without experience.

 

[rewJW]

If you have no experience - I would say don't turn down an opportunity to work in sterilization/cleaning/etc, because you need to learn the names of all the stuff you'll be working with before you can successfully assist a dentist. I'm working in sterilization in a multi specialty practice now, and there is a lot of 'behind the scenes' stuff to learn before you can start assisting and be of any real use to a dentist. I've picked up so much it's unbelievable, and soon I will be an assistant, but I know if I was thrown straight into assisting I would have probably been overwhelmed. An assistant needs to know what tool the dentist needs BEFORE the dentist even knows s/he needs ... lol. I almost turned down this opportunity because it 'wasn't assisting' --- I would have been really missing out if I had.

 

[ought2sleep]

Hey guys,
I know a dentist in the northern va area that will be needing a new assistant come June/July. He likes to train people and is preferably looking for another predent that can commit to working fulltime for a year. Send me a message if you are interested.

 

[dmille73]

I started working as a dental assistant almost exactly 3 years ago as a freshman. I had absolutely no experience. I started out volunteering and then eventually started getting paid minimum wage which i still make. But im doing it for the experience not the money. Be prepared to do a lot of grunt work like others have said, sterilizing, cleaning stocking. As you work you learn and get to do more. For over two years i have been filling the role of an assistant. I have assisted in all types of procedures, i take X-Rays, impressions, check lab cases when they come in. I have surprised myself with how much i have learned. Good luck in finding a job and take what you can get.

 

[polskasila]

Thats a great idea. I walked into a practice 3.5 yrs ago after seeing a help wanted sign. It turned out to be a perfect match bc the doc just needed some extra part-time help. I learned a lot about dentistry, running a practice and even managing and training a staff. I feel like i'll have a serious advantage in d-school.

Just go to every single dental practice you can and find out if they need extra help. MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM YOU'RE A PREDENT, my doc really liked that, and don't ask for much money you can work your way up if you stay a while. It will seem overwhelming at first but its actually real simple

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

It would be so much easier if you can directly talk to the dentist and explain him/her your situation. But the problem is receptionist is not gonna let you go see the doctor. I have tried this going around the clinics thing twice so far...didnt work out for me. Some of the receptionists are very nice and they are ready to listen to your story and hopefully they will tell the story to the doctor....but some of them will just pretend like they are so damn busy and tell you to leave your resume there. Half the time I wonder if they deliver the message or the resume to the doctor. Anyways I suggest to try to talk to the receptionist why you need this job and ask him/her to deliver this message to the dentist and also write a couple paragraph about why you need this job and leave it for the doctor. 🙄

 

[rose786]

It would be so much easier if you can directly talk to the dentist and explain him/her your situation. But the problem is receptionist is not gonna let you go see the doctor. I have tried this going around the clinics thing twice so far...didnt work out for me. Some of the receptionists are very nice and they are ready to listen to your story and hopefully they will tell the story to the doctor....but some of them will just pretend like they are so damn busy and tell you to leave your resume there. Half the time I wonder if they deliver the message or the resume to the doctor. Anyways I suggest to try to talk to the receptionist why you need this job and ask him/her to deliver this message to the dentist and also write a couple paragraph about why you need this job and leave it for the doctor. 🙄

Call up an office and ask the receptionist to set up an appointment with the dentist (they usually have about 10-15 min of free time during the day when they aren't seeing anyone.) Tell them you are a predental student and would like to meet with the dr and you won't take up much of their time. Once you've set up a meeting, explain who you are and what you're after. If they can't help you, they probably know someone who will.

Also, milk every connection you have to see if anyone is related to a dentist, friends with a dentist, etc. If all else fails, try posting an ad on craigslist (desperate employers check there). Good luck