Finding a job as an assistant?

[Greco28]

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Hey everyone....I currently have the year off before I apply to dental school and have been hoping to find a job at a dental office, possibly as an assistant. However, I have found it extremely difficult and have noticed that most dentists seem to be unwilling to hire someone who is inexperienced 😡 . I've done my fair share of shadowing but unfortunately I have bills to pay and need a job. I would prefer working in a dental office because that would, of course strengthen my application. Anyone have any suggestions on how to go about doing so? I currently live in Chicago.....

 

[wannabedr]

Bump

 

[konovsi]

Did the dentist you shadowed show any interest in hiring you?

 

[Greco28]

Did the dentist you shadowed show any interest in hiring you?

Nope....Which was understandable because he was fully staffed or possibly even OVERstaffed. Not to mention, I live about 40 miles away from his office now that I've moved to Chicago.

 

[tinman831]

just keep trying at different offices. its hard to find a job anywhere without experience. sooner or later, you'll run into a dentist who would be willing to give you a chance and train you.

 

[IcemanDDS]

Yea I'm looking for a job like that also. But I got to thinking, what about a dental lab?? There are a couple in my area, and thinking about inquiring about a job there. Anyone work at a dental lab before? I have no training whatsoever for a lab, but hoping they would be willing to give a poor pre-dent a job.

 

[Biogirl361]

You might already be doing this but check the classifieds, it seems like I see ads for dental assistants decently often that say no experience neccesary. The only thing is even if you can find someone that takes people without experience, they might not be cool with training you knowing you are just going to leave in a year or two for dental school. All you can do is try though and don't get discouraged.

 

[konovsi]

I wouldn't stress too much about finding a job in a dental office specifically unless you really want to and have the time. Instead just work in a field you can find a job in fairly easily until you get into d-school. It is enough that you shadowed a dentist to be considered as showing interest in dental field to the admissions committee. Working in the dental office will not help you much in impressing the committee.

 

[bkwash]

that is the nature of the beast, everyone wants the most qualified worker, who can do the best job for the least pay. I have been discouraged about finding an assisting job, because most of the dentists i shadowed say that a bad/inexperienced assistant can slow you down. It seems like most people get there foot in the door by having a personal relationship with a dentist, or taking an assisting course (which costs 1000 bucks and includes experience)

just my thoughts....

 

[ElDienteLoco]

I had to call just about every dentist in town. I offered to work for free for a month while they trained me if they would hire me. After a while I found a new dentist who was short enough on cash that my offer was enticing. I think it was a very beneficial experience. Working in a lab might be better depending on the school you would like to go to. Here at AZ, we do very little lab work, so assisting was the way to go for me. Best of luck to you pre-dents.

 

[ElDienteLoco]

Oh yeah. Don't go to school to become an assistant. With some interest and a few neurons, you can learn everything you need to know in 2-4 weeks. After a CPR course and a Radiology course, you're set. I have always wondered what they do in assistant school for 8 months!

 

[SuperC]

I don't know about where you are, but....

Many dental schools offer, what's called an, Expanded Duties Certificate. You learn how to take impressions, make temporaries and a few others. This would place place you ABOVE most assistants that don't even have an EDC. It is only a couple hundred and should pay for itself quickly.

-C

 

[La Miraflorina]

Just keep trying... I found a dentist who hired me with absolutely no experience. Go to offices in person... tell them you learn fast and be confident. Even offer to work for a period of time without pay so they can train you.

As another poster said, don't bother getting certified... it's not worth your time or money... and everything you'll learn there, you'll learn on the job really quickly.

 

[SuperC]

Just keep trying... I found a dentist who hired me with absolutely no experience. Go to offices in person... tell them you learn fast and be confident. Even offer to work for a period of time without pay so they can train you.

As another poster said, don't bother getting certified... it's not worth your time or money... and everything you'll learn there, you'll learn on the job really quickly.

You are right; however, it appears that this guy/gal has been hard at work trying to find a job without any luck. So.. What is one to do? Asses the situation and ask yourself, "What can I do to make myself a more competitive applicant?"

If he/she is really adamant on finding a job, what better thing to do than boost your credentials a touch... Besides, some dentists end up sending you to get your ED any way.

That is my two cents,
-C

 

[litlmisa]

Try also to 'get in the door' by working up front or in a sterilization position, from there you can work your way to chairside and it will give you the opprotunity to see the entire business.

 

[punkxgirl]

Try also to 'get in the door' by working up front or in a sterilization position, from there you can work your way to chairside and it will give you the opprotunity to see the entire business.

totally true. it's very beneficial to see all aspects of a dental office. I worked as a perio asst. for a year and ive been an ortho asst for over a year. I can say that I am very well cross-trained. I can schedule/sterilize/asst/make appliances with the best of 'em.

If you're looking for an asst job and find a posting for one, make sure that you have a well-written cover letter and a resume. even if your resume doesnt have any previous dental experience, a well written resume goes a long way.