Orthodontist Assistant Experience on Application?

[Horns]

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This past summer I landed a job as an Orthodontist's Assistant.

I replied to ad on Craigslist for a receptionist and explained that I am currently a Pre-Dent student. Turns out, an assistant position had just became available and I was offered to take it. He mentioned how great it would be to have the experience on my dental school application and I was very grateful for the opportunity.

Under the title of Intern, I did everything that a certified Orthodontist Assistant would do. I sterilized instruments and work stations, took panoramic X-Rays and Cephalographs, changed wires, retied chains, took and input clinical notes, and even prepared the teeth and bracket to be bonded. Nothing I did in the mouth was permanent and not double-checked by the Orthodontist before the glue was cured or the patient left.

The Orthodontist filed me on his taxes, paid me well, and introduced me as a college student intern to parents of patients I was working on. He is prepared to write me a letter of recommendation and verify the 300+ hours I spent working for him.

How would a dental school look upon this experience? I have no certifications and learned everything on the job.

 

[Likkriue]

You did xrays without any xray certs? I dont know what state you are from, but you should look at what the protocols your state has in regards to what you can do.

Some states dont require certification at all. My biggest concern is that almost all states require some kind of xray cert.

 

[Horns]

The state in which I worked definitely requires certifications to legally operate dental x-ray machines. Any advice for me?

 

[Likkriue]

The state in which I worked definitely requires certifications to legally operate dental x-ray machines. Any advice for me?

Leave that out and only put stuff that does not require certs.

Your ortho could get in big trouble so don't bring it up:

 

[doc toothache]

The state in which I worked definitely requires certifications to legally operate dental x-ray machines. Any advice for me?

Why in the world did you go out on a limb?

 

[fogorvostan]

Just double checking. You performed things on patients that you couldn't legally do in your state and are asking us if you should bring that up during your dental school application?

 

[Horns]

Why in the world did you go out on a limb?

I wasn't aware of this until after the fact. There wasn't an ounce of concern over it while it was happening so I didn't think to worry. I was just ecstatic to be getting the experience.

 

[Horns]

Other than the x-ray, I'd be more concerned about having specialty experience, as opposed to getting general dentistry experience. Most d-schools do not want students "gunning" for a specialty before they even start d-school.... What if all fails, you can't get into ortho residency and you don't wanna be a GD?

Just my assumption based on your experience. I would add 50+ hours of general dentistry shadowing just to get a feel for general dentistry and have something to counter the interview question, "So what if you don't get into ortho, will you still practice dentistry?" Again, I'm just making assumptions here.

I've heard that and I actually just want to be a general dentist. I'm just now beginning my sophomore so I have plenty of time for shadowing! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Horns]

Just double checking. You performed things on patients that you couldn't legally do in your state and are asking us if you should bring that up during your dental school application?

Basically, yes. I thought it was all legal until recently and I'm still confused as to why he would hire me or even allow me put it on my application. He seems to endorse me doing so, but I haven't talked to him about the legal side of it which is my next move.