Is dental assisting school/working as a dental assistant difficult?

[Candylicious]

I am going to be starting a dental assisting program next week. It is a 12 month program at a trade school. I'm just wondering if the program is difficult. Some people say it is while others say it isn't. I know a lot of people get hired during their internship but some don't. So I did some calling around and I found a hygienist who volunteers at a clinic. She said I could come to the clinic and volunteer after completing the Dental Assisting program. If I need experience to put on my resume as a lot of employers want dental assistants to have at least a year of experience. Also is it difficult working as a dental assistant? I mean getting along with the dentist etc?

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[predent2151]

This is kind of a pre-doc forum. With that being said no, it’s not hard.

 

[Candylicious]

This is kind of a pre-doc forum. With that being said no, it’s not hard.

So because this is a pre-doc forum that means the Dental Assisting program isn't difficult? I don't see the connection.

 

[Dogtreats]

So because this is a pre-doc forum that means the Dental Assisting program isn't difficult? I don't see the connection.

no, he’s saying this forum is for pre-dental students trying to get into dental school to be dentists.
that being sad, I know the program in the town where I live is difficult. it all probably depends on where you live so maybe you could reach out to students that graduated from the program you’ll be attending.

 

[Candylicious]

no, he’s saying this forum is for pre-dental students trying to get into dental school to be dentists.
that being sad, I know the program in the town where I live is difficult. it all probably depends on where you live so maybe you could reach out to students that graduated from the program you’ll be attending.

You are referring to the Dental Assisting program in your town? What is so difficult about it?

 

[Dogtreats]

I don’t know, I didn’t go through it. I just work with girls that did. It was mainly hard because the instructors were strict and they had crazy rules about what socks and headbands and hair ties you had to wear, things like that. I doubt the curriculum is that hard but again, I don’t know.

 

[predent2151]

So because this is a pre-doc forum that means the Dental Assisting program isn't difficult? I don't see the connection.

No I’m saying the website is called student doctor network, not student assisting network. But with that said, it’s a 2 year program at a community college, which I’ve done, and no, it is easy in comparison to what most of the people on this forum have taken including me.

 

[caffeine jitters]

No I’m saying the website is called student doctor network, not student assisting network. But with that said, it’s a 2 year program at a community college, which I’ve done, and no, it is easy in comparison to what most of the people on this forum have taken including me.

Chill man you’re sounding really uppity right now. It’s just a simple question some nervous person had, the same as all of us. We don’t need to belittle people.

 

[predent2151]

Chill man you’re sounding really uppity right now. It’s just a simple question some nervous person had, the same as all of us. We don’t need to belittle people.

Not uppity. Fact. It’s not bad. Offering advice, should be comforting

 

[Candylicious]

No I’m saying the website is called student doctor network, not student assisting network. But with that said, it’s a 2 year program at a community college, which I’ve done, and no, it is easy in comparison to what most of the people on this forum have taken including me.

I am aware of what the website is called and this section is "pre-dental" I didn't think it would an issue with me asking this question here. I really don't see what the big deal is I was just curious to see if anyone here has completed the program. And actually mine wouldn't be a two year it's only a year long.

 

[predent2151]

Really don’t mean it in a bad way. Just dental assisting school is really not bad at all. Wish anyone pursuing the best of luck!

 

[predent2151]

I am aware of what the website is called and this section is "pre-dental" I didn't think it would an issue with me asking this question here. I really don't see what the big deal is I was just curious to see if anyone here has completed the program. And actually mine wouldn't be a two year it's only a year long. Maybe instead of being rude you could have gave some insight instead.

Chill. I wasn’t being rude. I was saying it’s not a hard program. It’s a good job. No disrespect to it at all.

 

[Dogtreats]

I don’t think it’s belitting, it’s just going to be hard to get advice because most predents can’t answer this question lol I did dental assisting without going through a program, but that’s mainly because I wanted to go to dental school and I knew it would look good on apps. Idk what your end goal is, but if it’s just being a dental assistant, I think going through a program is great to have that certification. Personally, I think it would be better to find people in the actual program you’re going to, rather than asking here. That’s how I know so much about the school in my town, that I did not even go to ha

 

[Candylicious]

I would like to become a Dental Hygienist eventually I know that program is tough though.

 

[Candylicious]

Chill. I wasn’t being rude. I was saying it’s not a hard program. It’s a good job. No disrespect to it at all.

Thank you this is what I was asking whether or not the program is difficult.

 

[Dogtreats]

I would like to become a Dental Hygienist eventually I know that program is tough though.

Almost all the assistants I work with want to do hygiene. One got in and just finished her first semester. She said assisting has really helped her out in hygiene school so far! Dental assisting sounds like a great place for you to start.

 

[predent2151]

I would like to become a Dental Hygienist eventually I know that program is tough though.

Hygiene on the other hand can be competitive and tough, no a girl who got into dental school and denied to Hygeine school in the same year.

 

[Candylicious]

Hygiene on the other hand can be competitive and tough, no a girl who got into dental school and denied to Hygeine school in the same year.

Did she work as a Dental Assistant before trying to get into Dental Hygiene school?

 

[predent2151]

Did she work as a Dental Assistant before trying to get into Dental Hygiene school?

Yeah. Ended up going to UNC dental

 

[Candylicious]

Yeah. Ended up going to UNC dental

But why didn't she get accepted into the Dental Hygiene program?

 

[predent2151]

But why didn't she get accepted into the Dental Hygiene program?

Didn’t have a good enough gpa is what she said.

 

[Candylicious]

Didn’t have a good enough gpa is what she said.

One of the Dental Hygiene programs I want to attend requires that students have a 2.0 and above.

 

[MLC45]

I’ve been a dental assistant for 14 years. It’s not too hard. Instead of learning about bio or anatomy you have to learn about the instruments, materials and procedure set ups. I get along well with most of the doctors but occasionally you find ones that have the attitude that they are the doctor and you’re just a “spit sucker”. However most will treat you with respect.

 

[2TH MVR]

I am going to be starting a dental assisting program next week. It is a 12 month program at a trade school. I'm just wondering if the program is difficult. Some people say it is while others say it isn't. I know a lot of people get hired during their internship but some don't. So I did some calling around and I found a hygienist who volunteers at a clinic. She said I could come to the clinic and volunteer after completing the Dental Assisting program. If I need experience to put on my resume as a lot of employers want dental assistants to have at least a year of experience. Also is it difficult working as a dental assistant? I mean getting along with the dentist etc?

1st off .... congrats on attending the dental assisting program. I have no idea if the program is difficult or not. I can tell you that the job outlook is good since every dental office, corporate office is looking for good assts. I know that I've always preferred to hire new Assts fresh out of school. Under my guidance .... it will take you another 6-12 months of training before you are an asset to my office. I actually enjoy the process since I can train my asst's the way that I WANT things done. Make sure you are xray certified also. As for getting along with the dentist ...... make sure you work hard, show up early, and show eagerness at LEARNING from the dentist. Dentists NEED good assts. Patients can recognize good harmony between the doctor and the assts.