fall back ideas (if one can't get a license)?

[tengu3]

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Given the uncertainties surrounding the RTE a fall back plan is in order. Even if the RTE is extended, I am not sure how soon one can partake the RTE given the huge backlog. So my question is what kind of dental related jobs are available to a foreign educated dentist who has passed part 1 and 2.

a) Dental assistance
- How can one become a RDA? Is extra schooling required?

b) Dental hygienist
- Will the foreign dental degress fulfill California dental hygienist education requirement? Or just a matter of passing more exams?

- tengu

 

[Dentoman]

For the Dental Assistant job it's possible to get one although that depends on the laws of your particular state, most states however allow you to work as a DA without any formal education.
Some require certification in radiology procedures and safety.
You are looking at 8-12 dollar/hour kinda job.

For the Hygenist it's a totally different story since your almost always required to have graduated from an accredited dental school to be able to get a license and I think in California thats the case.

 

[ivorinedust]

Rumor has it that when the RT Exams close, the Dental Hygienist
opportunity opens in California. Don't trust me on this one though. It is just that--a rumor.

Ivorinedust

 

[jennylynn]

here in ohio , its kinda the same,no formal education needed,BUT! a lot of experience is preffered🙂 x-ray license is a must ...its really an easy exam for foreign dentists...its just a lot of angulation questions,film positioning and stuffs, rate here is a lil higher than said in the earlier post,...to become a registered ental assistant,you need to be working as a dental assistant for at least a year or two if
i remember it right,fill up a form from the dental auxillaries assoc to be signed by your employer,then just take the test.....its a 320 item test,100 for radiation health and safety 100 on Infection Control 120 on General Chairside....to be a COA Orthodontic assistant,you need to pass CDA test Then take COA which has the same Infection control test 100 items and Orthodontic assisting exam a 120 item exam....somehow you can make your rate a lil higher than the standard dental assistant's rate.....another thing for additional moolah! she can go to school for extended task...something..i forgot what's it called....it allows you to not just assist the dentist but also finish his restorations....like packing of amalgam and carving the resto...you can also fabricate temp crowns and there goes extra money 🙂 as for the dental hygienist,you need to go to school for 2 years even as a foreign dentist 🙁 i asked why,and they told me that it's unfair for the american students who wait for at least 2 years just to get in to a hygiene program...it's a real pretty job for the money ! they make $26-$8/hour here.....i heard in california its even higher....like $300-$400/day so...maybe while waiting for this RTE ,she can probably check in to that 🙂 good luck !

 

[sadanand]

hi everyone ,
whats this ?? r we just going to go on & on with the exams here ??? even to be an assistant r a hygeinist we have to take n no of exams . as of now its very depressing to think ..what if RTE doesnt get extended .........i just want to wish & hope that it gets extended .....& lets pray that it does.

 

[deepag]

hi there,
I have been working as a dental assistant for 10 months . all i had to do was to enroll in the x-ray licensing course which was for 11weeks. i spent around $420 for the course and $140 to take the exam. it is very simple the classes are offered every monday from 6:30pm to 9:45pm for 11 mondays.and i used to go there after working hrs. it may vary from state to state but in maryland these are the rules.plus the pay goes considerably high too. U can take the expanded function course too which allows you to do cord packing, temp crowns, impressions etc.

 

[ivorinedust]

If you are so inclined, you can be a dental technologist. The job requires no professionalization, and certification is on a "voluntary" basis. You can start out as an apprentice and then venture out on your own.

If California would allow it, you can be a denturist, which pays much better. Currently, the state does not. I know of one denturist in Washington state and he makes almost as much as a licensed dentist in California. He even employs a couple of dentists.

You can start your own handpiece repair business. I heard people are making lots of money here. Dental clinics have around 10-15 handpieces at any given moment, and these require repair service every 3-4 months. Multiply that by the number of dentists in your area (and beyond) for around $50 a pop and... you get the idea. Then maybe you can expand and repair other equipment too, such as, chairs, units, compressors, autoclaves, etc.

You can be employed in other areas of the dental field--insurance provider (as in Delta), and dental supply houses.

I hope this helps.

Ivorinedust

 

[sima]

Hi Deepag,
Just wanted to know where u did this x-ray licensing course from ? would a community college have something like this since i'm in a small place. Please let me know if possible so that i can look into similar possibilities. Thanks
sima

 

[Irishcream]

I 've also heard about this Xray course...I'm in Los Angeles County..does anyone know of any college or university that has such courses?
Thanks

 

[ivorinedust]

I think you can only apply for an xray license if you are employed as a dental assistant or if you are a student of dental assisting.
So some schools may not admit you to their radiation safety courses(leading to a certificate or license) if you are neither.

Ivorinedust

 

[manu]

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, let me ask why you are not considering sending her to school for a couple of years?

I remember that your spouse got a pretty darn good score in NBDE part 1.
Manu

 

[NZ_hygienist]

i wish to work as a hygienist in north America, either Canada or the U.S. I am still in the process of trying to get approval to sit the NDHBE for the U.S.,

but i also wish to know more about studying for the Canadaian boards. i bought Dental Hygiene decks for the National board in the U.S. Wondering if there are any similar decks for the Canadian boards.

I am a dental hygienist from New Zealand.

10ks!

u can also contact me via email: [email protected]