Future Dentist

[Tyler Reichard]

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently a junior in High School and I'm going to be a future dentist with no doubt in my mind.

I want to get my dental assistant certification this summer but I'm confused on how to go about this.

I found http://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/ce...-programs/dental-assistant/tuition-financing/ this online.

It's 1,568.00 for your certification and it's all online.

Should I take the courses this summer or is this a scam?

I'm 18, I'm not sure if that matters.

Thanks everyone!

-Tyler

 

[Glimmer1991]

From what I've gathered, lots of dentists will just train you once you get a job. (*for free*)

However, you're a bit young. Not sure how many dentists would feel about that. You might be better off volunteering at a place, and then, if things go well, bring up the idea with the dentist.

 

[Tyler Reichard]

I have another question.. when I was 17 I tried to job shadow a dentist but I got rejected because of liability. Since I just turned 18 will I be allowed?

 

[Gaucho4Life]

I have another question.. when I was 17 I tried to job shadow a dentist but I got rejected because of liability. Since I just turned 18 will I be allowed?

Doesn't hurt to try again... I wouldn't do the online course you mentioned

 

[chill45]

I doubt having a dental assistants certificate is going to do you much good anyways. Work experience might help (marginally in most cases, it's really all about grades and test scores to get in) but even then when would you have time to work or who would hire you and spend the time and money training you on their software and such if they knew you would only be working for two months during the summer. Save your money and worry about undergrad grades.

P.S. don't forget to party and enjoy undergrad as well.

 

[techyguy]

You're going to be a future dentist? If you're not already a future dentist, you may have already fallen behind!

I'm just kidding, but I would work on my wording a little going forward in your future endeavors. =) To offer a little help, though, I was really impressed to see a high schooler at one of my state's MOM clinics. I also liked to see college freshmen. There were aspiring dentists who were juniors and even seniors in my pre-dental club who were saying, "oh, I'll just go to the next one," which was infuriating. You can't claim to want to be a dentist and then not go do fun dentistry stuff, and MOM clinics are rare. If you're around other states with MOM clinics, I would recommend visiting them, too. If you do this, you'll be ahead of the juniors and seniors that I mentioned, who were searching for excuses.

I would also shadow a few dentists, and try to see some specialists (ortho, pedo, prosth, endo, perio, omfs, etc.).

Lastly, from all that I've ever heard, dental hygiene and assistant experience doesn't really help you get into dental school. I happen to think schools should be more friendly to those trades, but, for some reason, they're not.

Anyway, some books, just for fun:
1) Dental School Interview Guide (includes some good questions to ask dentists while you're shadowing)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JTAO26/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

2) Student Doctor Network Dental School Admissions Guide (pretty useful, all around)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TH1STM/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

3) The Pre-Dental Guide (explains the specialties within dentistry very well)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RATF0C/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

 

[Bottle]

Why don't you try to ask a dentist that is friend of your family to shadow? That way, you'll be more than some high school kid that want to shadow.

 

[YYC]

You might be better off volunteering at a place, and then, if things go well, bring up the idea with the dentist.

'

^This. Started volunteering when I was 18, hired as a part-time assistant after 1 month. A lot of people I know did the same without having to take the course and getting the certification. In United States (*or pretty much every corner around the world), people will think of all sort of ideas to earn money. The class is good, but it's not necessary at the same time.