Dental assisting

[Evelain]

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Is it possible to get hired as a part time dental assistant as a 3rd year undergrad without any training/experience in the dental field?

 

[tinman831]

Is it possible to get hired as a part time dental assistant as a 3rd year undergrad without any training/experience in the dental field?

It depends on the area you are in and the office you ask. Most, if not all, dental assistants need to be licensed (although some offices look the other way when dealing with licenses). Whether or not you can be hired full time or part time is up to the office you work at.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

A lot of dentists may even prefer uncertified assistants if there aren't any good programs in the area; they say they'd rather train them in their own ways than have them waste a year and learn lots of mistakes. Totally depends on the school and the state.

However, in MOST states it is illegal to take x-rays and do certain procedures (like polishing) without being certified. In that case, if you don't want to do the year course, many schools can just offer the xray cert with a weekend course.

I'd recommend it! Great experience. If not that, then perhaps starting to train as a lab tech...

 

[Evelain]

Thanks for the helpful info 🙂 . I was just curious because I know there are dental assisting programs but I found an employment ad seeking an assistant and it said no experience necessary.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

Thanks for the helpful info 🙂 . I was just curious because I know there are dental assisting programs but I found an employment ad seeking an assistant and it said no experience necessary.

Yeah, definitely look into it more. Just be really careful about taking xrays without being certified....it's really important to protect yourself against any issues like doing things without proper clearance. Who knows if word will get around. Besides, it's just a weekend....other than that, you can pretty much do anything, as long as the dentist isn't shady 😉

 

[Evelain]

where and how do you become x-ray certified? are there any experience/credentials needed?