dental experience thread...

[RT0223]

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I'm wondering how many of you out there has dental experience, lab tech, assistant, hygienist etc...

Does it matter whether you have D experience?...or do they mainly focus on your DAT and GPA?

My overall is 3.1, science 3.3, 1.5 yr lab tech, 3 mo. full-time D assistant, and 2 polishing and radio. lic... My big day is on the 29th but I'm not 👎 too confidence about it. Do you guys think I have a chance? 😳

 

[jrm]

I'm wondering how many of you out there has dental experience, lab tech, assistant, hygienist etc...

Does it matter whether you have D experience?...or do they mainly focus on your DAT and GPA?

My overall is 3.1, science 3.3, 1.5 yr lab tech, 3 mo. full-time D assistant, and 2 polishing and radio. lic... My big day is on the 29th but I'm not 👎 too confidence about it. Do you guys think I have a chance? 😳

Your dental experience is awesome! If you go into the DAT with more confidence (think positive!) and do well on it, I believe you have a good chance of getting in. There are plenty of people on here with comparable GPAs, but no dental experience. Just study hard for your test, think good thoughts about it, and you'll be golden.

 

[SummaryRuled]

My GPA is similar to yours..... MY DATS apparently are competative at most schools (with PAT a ilttle low).... I have extensive community outreach and dental assistant (work as a dental assistant for a year)....


I have gotten interviews at 3 schools so far.

 

[mom2dr]

I definitely think your dental experience can offset your DAT scores some. It shows that you know the profession and are interested. I've been a dental assistant for 9 years, and I am positive that has helped with me getting an interview. Good luck!

 

[cdmOMR]

I'm wondering how many of you out there has dental experience, lab tech, assistant, hygienist etc...

Does it matter whether you have D experience?...or do they mainly focus on your DAT and GPA?

My overall is 3.1, science 3.3, 1.5 yr lab tech, 3 mo. full-time D assistant, and 2 polishing and radio. lic... My big day is on the 29th but I'm not 👎 too confidence about it. Do you guys think I have a chance? 😳

How do you get a polishing license? Is it available in all states? Are we talking about an actual polish with a prophy cup on a patient or just extraoral polishing of restorations(not sure why anyone would need a license to do that)? Ive been assisting for 3 years now and Im hoping for both are sakes that the exposure will give us some sort of edge.

It kinda erks me to think that half the applicants that get into D-school probably dont even know the surfaces of the teeth or the numbering system or what decay looks like on an x-ray or how to pour up a model or...or....or...the list goes on. Such is life though.

 

[pmantz]

I have dental experience but from the other side, due to financial circumstances I was unable to go to the dentist for 6+ years. Needless to say I needed quite a bit of work. I think I have an advantage not necesarrily for getting admitted but when I actualy practice I think I can practice with empathy because I have been in that chair during a extensive procedures.

 

[RT0223]

Thank you for all your encouragements. I’ve gotten the polishing (the one with a prophy cup) and the radiology certificates issued by the state of CA about 3 years ago. I got a dental lab tech job right after so the certs didn’t really do me any good. About 4 month ago, I’ve started working again as an assistant however my dentist never asked me to take any X-rays (I’m the only assistant in his office, the office is about 500 sq. ft, can you imagine how small it is!?!), so I didn’t get a lot of practices.

I’ve taken Topscore 1 2 3 and Achiever 1 and 2, my AA average is probably around 16-17 (15 for Achiever 2) I know the scores suck. I guess I’ll probably end up getting a 18 or 19 on the real thing. I’m Asian female (I guess I’m 1/2 minority) Do you think I have a chance?

 

[54807]

Thank you for all your encouragements. I’ve gotten the polishing (the one with a prophy cup) and the radiology certificates issued by the state of CA about 3 years ago. I got a dental lab tech job right after so the certs didn’t really do me any good. About 4 month ago, I’ve started working again as an assistant however my dentist never asked me to take any X-rays (I’m the only assistant in his office, the office is about 500 sq. ft, can you imagine how small it is!?!), so I didn’t get a lot of practices.

I’ve taken Topscore 1 2 3 and Achiever 1 and 2, my AA average is probably around 16-17 (15 for Achiever 2) I know the scores suck. I guess I’ll probably end up getting a 18 or 19 on the real thing. I’m Asian female (I guess I’m 1/2 minority) Do you think I have a chance?

2 Things:

I think experience is key and HOPEFULLY you've actually learned alot about patient interaction so talk that up during your interview and such. That can kinda make up for a lower score...but not a LOW score. My assisting job has been one of the most important things I've done during college, hopefully you can say the same because you have learned that much.

Topscore is right on in terms of scores. My score went up in 1 section 1 point on the real thing. I wouldn't assume you'll do better on the real thing "just because".

And being asian may not help that much...I don't feel like asians are a race that people feel are from a dissadvantaged background. Actually, I think it's the opposite! Everyone has heard, "O, you're asian, you're a geneous". Isn't that the opposite of "O, you're just a dumb ______ (racist slang), you're never going anywhere". We've all heard that as well. At least where I have lived, asians have not been discriminated against, so hopefully you haven't either.

All in all, someone with assisting experience or RDH experience is invaluable "at the top" of the dental profession. I think you are far nicer and have seen what it is like to be an assistant and how crucial you are to some practices. (Maybe not your itty bitty one though, lol)

Good luck though, get off SDN and study for the DAT!! 16-17 aint gonna cut it with a subpar GPA. PM me for some study materials if you are interested.

 

[cdmOMR]

Thank you for all your encouragements. I’ve gotten the polishing (the one with a prophy cup) and the radiology certificates issued by the state of CA about 3 years ago. I got a dental lab tech job right after so the certs didn’t really do me any good. About 4 month ago, I’ve started working again as an assistant however my dentist never asked me to take any X-rays (I’m the only assistant in his office, the office is about 500 sq. ft, can you imagine how small it is!?!), so I didn’t get a lot of practices.

Hmm I think the rules are differnt here in IL. I didnt need any radiology certs. and I take x-rays all day (I will probably have mutant kids). Damn insurance companies want x-rays for everythings now adays, but thats another topic on its own. But Im not sure if there is any sort of polishing certificats available, but if there is Im going to get it. But I have a hard time believing that extensive knowledge in the field isnt going to help in some aspect. Good luck.

 

[RT0223]

sexyducky: Thank you for your advice...when I said 1/2 minority, I actually mean being female and not Asian. I know being Asian won't help a bit. Yes, I'd like to have some last min suggestions on how to prepare for the DAT. The game day is the 29th. Thanks. 🙂

 

[RDH2DDS]

!

 

[RT0223]

Is that it? Come on, let's share our stories...

 

[tissy]

I have 8 years as a dental assistant and 6months of lab work!! I love DENTISTRY!! I really can't wait to be a provider..I"m just so jazzed about being able to give provide more to patients than just assisting...

 

[RDH2DDS]

!

 

[RT0223]

It took you that long (8 yr) to decide what you want? I'm sure you'll get in. 🙂

 

[pearlywhite]

It took you that long (8 yr) to decide what you want? I'm sure you'll get in. 🙂

I've been assisting/taking x-rays for the past 3 years on a semi-regular basis and I have about 5 months of lab work under my belt. I heart dentistry too and I just want to be the real thing!

 

[RDH2DDS]

!

 

[Dr.Jamie]

How do you get a polishing license? Is it available in all states? Are we talking about an actual polish with a prophy cup on a patient or just extraoral polishing of restorations(not sure why anyone would need a license to do that)? Ive been assisting for 3 years now and Im hoping for both are sakes that the exposure will give us some sort of edge.

It kinda erks me to think that half the applicants that get into D-school probably dont even know the surfaces of the teeth or the numbering system or what decay looks like on an x-ray or how to pour up a model or...or....or...the list goes on. Such is life though.

I'm certified to polish. My uncle practices in lindenhurst, Il where i've assisted for eight years. I took a class given by the illinois dental institute on a saturday in june and i got my polishing certificate. so all summer long i saw kids. its a great thing to have. its unbelievable how different it is to sit in the chair with the handpiece and actually work on a patient. i would totally recomend getting the certification. i'm sure you can find info on line.

 

[cdmOMR]

I'm certified to polish. My uncle practices in lindenhurst, Il where i've assisted for eight years. I took a class given by the illinois dental institute on a saturday in june and i got my polishing certificate. so all summer long i saw kids. its a great thing to have. its unbelievable how different it is to sit in the chair with the handpiece and actually work on a patient. i would totally recomend getting the certification. i'm sure you can find info on line.

Hmm Ill look into it. I really never heard of it before a month ago or so.

**I searched around and didnt see much about specific classes. Where exactly did you sign up for this program?

 

[Dr.Jamie]

all i know is that we got the info somehow from the illinois dental institute. i think you can find it online if you search, and get a phone number or something. there may be some info on the ADA website too, but i'm really not sure. i wish i had more info!

 

[cdmOMR]

all i know is that we got the info somehow from the illinois dental institute. i think you can find it online if you search, and get a phone number or something. there may be some info on the ADA website too, but i'm really not sure. i wish i had more info!

Ok its cool...I searched around but i didnt find too much other than it is legal to do in IL as long as you have the certificate. Ill probably just have to call. Thanks for the info though.

Chris