Is it likely to get a front desk job in a dental clinic as a male? I am considering doing this in my gap year, but I have never seen a male receptionist in any medical or dental offices.
Is it likely to get a front desk job in a dental clinic as a male?
- Thread starter Bigbirdo
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I believe that would be against the law if they didn't hire you because of your gender. They may not hire you because they will train you, you leave after a year, and then they have to train someone else.
It may be difficult, but it happens. I currently work at a practice as a (male) sterilization technician and since I'm a registered dental assistant, I get to assist the dentist (who is male) from time to time. And it's not like I don't get to interact with patients either, I do all the time when having to seat patients, taking radiographs, etc. I have also seen a male who works at the front desk/performs the Invisalign scans at an orthodontist's office.
To the OP, you may have to apply for a lot of positions but it does happen. It just depends on the dentist's attitude I suppose. It's funny because the dentist I work for was happy when I showed up to the interview and joked how it's like he is married to 10 other women at work. So I say go for it and don't be discouraged, you might get lucky!
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at the office i worked at the dentist and office manager both agreed that they would never hire a male receptionist :/
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The best receptionist I ever worked with was a male. I say go for it!
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I was talking to a dentist who owns his own practice and he said it is definitely tough to get a job in a practice as a male, especially if the doctor is male as well. Idk, he mentioned that some people (men in particular) feel overwhelmed/threatened when too many guys are hovering over and working on them. Personally I've found more luck working as a DA in practices owned by women than with men.
Edit: Sorry I can't give any insight specifically on working up front though
Edit: Sorry I can't give any insight specifically on working up front though
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One dentist that I shadowed said that it does not matter for him as long as that receptionist does a good job as a receptionist (meaning good file organizer, flexible, pleasing to talk to especially on the phone, and works well with the team of hygienists, DA, and the doc). And the male receptionist he trained and hired was a male.
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Dude I was just wondering this today as well, my gut definitely says no lol. I have been thinking it would be a better plan to try and get a job in a dental lab, but that obviously is going to be tough as well.
I think a dental lab job would be great because it would help your application and hone hopefully a few skills you may need once in dental school. Again tho, always hard to find such a specific job, or jobs in general nowadays haha.
Good luck!
I think a dental lab job would be great because it would help your application and hone hopefully a few skills you may need once in dental school. Again tho, always hard to find such a specific job, or jobs in general nowadays haha.
Good luck!
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Another way is to look for a dentist to shadow and after few days or weeks, let the dentist know that you are also interested in PT or FT position if it ever becomes available in the future. It'll be much easier for the dentist to hire you after seeing how you work at his office with his staff vs some stranger coming into office with an resume asking for a job.
This is what I did (I'm no male) and now I work FT as an assistant. But while I was shadowing, I was helping DAs clean up, take out trash, mop the floor, sterilize, answer phones, assist, etc etc.
Good luck in finding a job in the dental field! 🙂
This is what I did (I'm no male) and now I work FT as an assistant. But while I was shadowing, I was helping DAs clean up, take out trash, mop the floor, sterilize, answer phones, assist, etc etc.
Good luck in finding a job in the dental field! 🙂
Well other than getting paid?
Receptionist don't get paid well. There are a ton of other options that pay much better.
Schools I talked to said they much prefer shadowing because you see what the dentist is actually doing, not just sitting behind a counter checking in patients. I think there are much more productive ways to strengthen your application. (hint: volunteering to show that you actually enjoy helping out your community.)
Can you give me examples of these options? I really don't know many well-paid jobs that you can get with a BS biology degree.
I'm not saying a $50k/yr job but you can find a job that pays more than your standard $10/hr job as a receptionist.
I really hope that you have some work experience and just haven't been a student your whole life.
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If you have the support of your family then this wouldnt an issue.
But keep in mind not every family is like this. For some people, they are cut off the moment they hit 18.
Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about these $50k/year jobs either. I do have some work experiences and a few options on my list now (tutor, dental assistant, receptionist...etc). I just would like to hear options that I was not aware of . If you don't mind, can you give me your examples of better paid jobs? Thank you!
I don't know how handy you are but I installed cabinents for a new home builder and was making 18-20$/hr doing that.
I'd look at the large companies around you and check their websites for jobs. I have buddies that work at chemical plants unloading/mixing chemicals that make $20+/hr with no other real work skills.
I realize these are jobs that require actual work, but that's where the decent money is when you don't have marketable degrees/skills.
The positions are difficult to find but it is possible. I was hired for a front desk position in an endo and perio office last year. When the doctors and office manager offered me the job they asked me to go around and introduce myself to all of the referring offices to make them feel more comfortable. They love me now but patients sometime mistake me for a female on the phone because it's so uncommon. Haha
OP go for it its been a great experience! I was really lucky to be moved to assistant and trained by the endodontist. All they can say is no thanks
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Not sure where u live, but in CA (specifically LA area) Costco pays their employees something like min $15/hr and... In-N-Out pays something similar also. Oh and maybe UPS? Working odd hours at the hospital also pays pretty well (shift differential)... hmmm what else..
If you really want to use your degree.... hmm.. research? not sure what the starting rate is nowadays... But it seems like tutoring might be your best bet since it pays wells and you work short hours (so you can shadow and/or volunteer on your free time).
Hope you find a job soon!
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What office would not welcome someone (male or female) who intends to stay for only a year for a position which is ranks first in importance?
