How do you actually get a job as a dental assistant?

[Near]

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Without any training?

I've heard of people doing it before and saying that they loved it, and making money while getting experience seems like a no brainer.

But how do you actually do it...? It seems like calling up random practices and asking if they have a position open for an untrained assistant wouldn't fly. And if they had a position open, wouldn't the practice try to fill it up as soon as possible...?

Halp. 😕

 

[katwoman1688]

Without any training?

I've heard of people doing it before and saying that they loved it, and making money while getting experience seems like a no brainer.

But how do you actually do it...? It seems like calling up random practices and asking if they have a position open for an untrained assistant wouldn't fly. And if they had a position open, wouldn't the practice try to fill it up as soon as possible...?

Halp. 😕

Craigslist - gotta go through each add and find one that is a) either willing to train someone experienced or b) is set up to look for a student looking to gain and work prior to dental school! Good luck, thats how I found mine!

 

[Ragekage]

I just offered to volunteer at my personal dentist's office. After a week or two of that they offered me a paid position.

 

[nboogie]

I participated in an internship through my school and after a couple of months they offered to hire me.

Good luck.

 

[SeattleRDH]

Look for sterilization tech positions first then express interest in moving into a chair side position.

 

[Duriel]

I found mine on craigslist, they were looking for a new trainee. Although its really far from my house, but its worth it.

 

[LittleTomato]

I went in for a teeth cleaning at my community's dental office, told the DDS I was interested in becoming a dentist and asked if he needed any help around the office. He offered me a job as an assistant. It's been a great experience, I love all of the staff, and I get to be a part of my own community. Good luck with your job search!

 

[docjimmi]

How could a dentist from India work as a DA in US if he/she has work permit. Does he need any DA license?

 

[ncide]

I took courses to learn dental terminology, dental assisting techniques and duties. Also learned how to take x-rays and place sealants. Some courses are a few months to a year, and I'd dissuade a dental school bound applicant from pursuing those. As others have said, some doctors are willing to train you and have you work alongside them. Other than that, short several-week courses that you can take on the weekends (if you are in undergrad) is what you can also do. That's what I did and it made me able to get a job relatively quickly.

I added that to my resume and applied all over. Ended up eventually working in a multi-specialty practice with no prior specialty training. I like what I do and it allowed me to pay for all my flights, interview applications, and hotel stays.

Some states require accreditation in taking x-rays and certification for dental assisting, and so getting your foot in the door can be a little expensive, and it may not be all that worthwhile if you don't want to work for too long. As far as I know, all require a registration to work as a dental assistant. In my state, it is a free registration with the Department of Health.

 

[mcbnerd]

I was able to do shadow/volunteer work at my family friend's pediatics practice my first summer before college. I was mostly in sterilization (cleaning and sterilizing the tools and trays, setting up hygiene trays and op trays, etc). I also watched how fillings, crowns, and extractions were done and I also shadowed the DA's when they did hygienes to see how they interacted with patients. I was lucky enough to be able to come back each summer after and actually be considered an unlicensed DA. I did normal hygienes (a lot of patient interactions and I loved it!), I suctioned for the dentist while they did ops, and I also passed the tools during ops. I stayed away from things that require licenses such as X-rays and sealants but I was able to watch the DA's do them.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and easily persuaded me to continue pursuing dentistry. Also, it allows you to actually see if dentistry is a fit for you as it exposes you to real patient interactions and working on patients (if you can stand mouths or not haha). I have easily over 800 hours of working and shadowing at a private practice. I also didn't choose to shadow with different dentists in different fields because I would rather have hands-on experience than just shadowing.

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[super frank]

I was a junior in high school in 2011. 😵