Please read me.. Dental assistant??

[toony]

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hey guys, i was wondering if i needed a certificate to work as a dental assistant. 😕 i graduated 2 months ago w' the BS in bio, and applied for the DDS program (class of 2009). I am desperately looking for a dental job (like a dental assitant) but never had an official training except for volunteering at a dental clinic. would i be qualified though? is it worth applying?

thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[Sprgrover]

I think it depends on your state and their laws and regulations. My state didn't require a license and thus I was able to volunteer as an assistant. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether or not you need to be certified or licensed and so on.

 

[tooth paste]

i personally have been working/volunteering as a dental assistant w/o any formal training...only on the job training. I probably really depends on where you'll be assisting.

 

[busdriver]

same as tooth paste...i worked for my dentist without any formal training right after i graduated. i was kinda lucky though cuz the person that had my job was going to leave so they needed someone else. plus, my dentist is asian and worked in an asian community so the standards were even lower (i'm asian too in case you think i'm ragging on asians). but i think in some cases, they'll ask or even pay for you to take certain classes like an x-ray class or something like that. otherwise, it was all on the job training....and it was definitely a great learning experience so i encourage you to find one.

 

[Biogirl361]

i work as a dental assistant as a summer job while not in school. i went in with zero knowledge of dentistry and they trained me on the job. they didn't really need anyone, but the dentist was nice enough to let me work there for just a couple months a year to get experience before dental school 👍

 

[jintonic5]

hmmm... so let's say that i want to get a dental assistant position after i graduate in december (i also have no dental assistant training), if i post my resume to the positions online where they are looking for dental assistants, do you think i'll have any luck? as a college graduate with lab experience and dental school aspirations, will they take pity? 😕

 

[GLxY88]

I worked as a semi-fully functioning dental assistant before I got into dental school. I had ABSOLUTELY NO experience, except for shadowing (which really isn't anything.) The truth of the matter is, I put myself out there to land the job. I called various local offices, and posted my resume on websites. Low and behold, I was hired by a dentist who was basically starting a new practice and needed someone to start at a more menial payscale. (Oh... so that means when looking for a job, don't be greedy!)

Many dentist usually relish the opportunity to hire a pre-dent because they know that they are getting someone who actually wants to be there, and will take the paycut.

Anyway, before I knew it, I was taking xrays, doing impressions, pouring molds... and therefore making as much as certified assistants.

Bottom line, be persistent...

 

[v&andy_yankee]

it all depends on the practice, whether they want to put in the extra effort of training you or finding someone who doesn't need to be trained.

even if you are trained, it's even better if you are certified--certified has numerous perks (ie, ability to take x-rays, etc) that regular training in an office can't give you. certified=more marketable. but if you're willing to work hard, i'm sure there is an office who is willing to take you anyway.

 

[toothcaries]

i ended up working the summer as a dental assistant for the doc i observed...



fast forward 4 years..
i'll start back up working as an assistant once this quarter and these everyday quizes are over.

imo, it's a good experience...and a super way to learn and gain more exposure to the world of dentistry,