undergrad dental assistants

[wannabDMD]

I hope none of you take this the wrong way and think I'm being nosy...but I was just wondering for those of you that are working as dental assistants as pre-dents, how much are you getting paid? I've been working as an assistant for about 5 years now and it was always about getting dental experience, not really about the money. But now I'm thinking about financing dental school so I'm wondering if what I'm earning is less than what other undergrads who are doing the same thing are. I started working at this office when I was in high school and I've just gotten small raises since then. I make $10/hour right now, it seems a little low when you think about how much responsibility a dental assistant has. I'd appreciate any input you guys have, thanks!

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[denticus]

5 years is a long time and I would think that you would be making more by now. However, I worked for 2 years as an assistant and never made more than 8/hr but this is because I told the dentist that I was looking for experience and nothing more so that he wouldn't have to worry about paying me the big bucks. I don't think I would've gotten the job had I not said that. If I were you, I would just be honest with your employer and tell him that you are trying to finance your dental education. If he's a logical person (and you're a good assistant) I think he'll help you out once he see's your concern. He may still think that you're only in it for the experience still which means you'll be paid less like I was. Good luck!

 

[Regmata]

You aren't going to finance your dental education off that salary either way...

Nice that you get paid though...all of my assisting days were done for free...although I never put in more than a few months somewhere...

Just ask for a raise, whats the worst that can happen?

 

[fancymylotus]

0$.thanks dad!

 

[angel dust]

i started out with 7.50 but this was maybe 5-7 years ago. the last job i worked before i got my x-ray license i was getting 13/hr. with an x-ray license probably 18 an hr would be sufficient maybe more with experience. you're totally getting taken advantage of.

 

[Pat Kelly]

If you don't have a CDA, I think the pay is quite okay. I only have a year of experience right now, but I get paid around the same that you do, while the CDAs in my office gets paid a lot more. They do complete more technical tasks than I do, so it is definitely well deserved.

 

[tdh278]

i dont have any certifications and i had no experience when i first started two months ago and im getting paid 11/hr. i hear you should at least get 10-13.hr starting off. i think you should be getting a bit more with your amount of experience.

 

[DMDreaming]

What state are you located in? Pay rate can vary by location. In Colorado, experienced chairside dental assistants make anywhere between $10 and $14 an hour. Call your state dental association to see what the going rate in your area is.

 

[xdianaax]

I agree with the above, location matters as well. Also, how many other dental ssistants does he rotate between? A lot of things factor in, what if it's not a very high volume office? Are you certified? There's a lot to take into consideration when thinking about how much you get paid.

 

[tdh278]

i live in texas and im one out of 2 assistants. even though the office is extremely small i have been offered about the same in larger offices. But i agree with the others, it probably does depend on where you live

 

[sunnygirl807]

I have been a dental assistant for the past 8 years. I have my CDA and RDA with the state of TN. I make $20/hr. I started off making $9.50. Just be upfront with the doctor.

 

[DDSABeach]

I have been a dental assistant for the past 8 years. I have my CDA and RDA with the state of TN. I make $20/hr. I started off making $9.50. Just be upfront with the doctor.

What dentist are you working for ? I am TN. RDA for 20 yrs. I was getting $25. I agree it really depends on the State, experience and DENTIST. I had lunch with a dentist today and this subject came up and he said, he knew a doctor that is paying assistant which had no ortho exp. or licenses (CDA,RDA) started off with $8 is now getting $35 an hour with a Ortho group less than a year! Believe it or not.

 

[QuackDentist]

$12.00/hr assisting a specialist.

But, I live by San Francisco and minimum wage here is $8.50.

 

[toothy2112]

I have just hit my one year mark, I make $12 now, but started off at $10 with no experience what so ever. I am taking my test for RDA coming up so I am thinking I should get a raise, or at least ask?! ( $25 would be nice!! j/k) Also, my dentist gives us bonuses here and there, they add up. I live about an hour away from Los Angeles, I know people closer to there make more.

 

[sachmo23]

For all of you that have/had dental assistant positions, how did you first grab the job? I worked for two years as a dental assistant, but i started out as a rover for the first 9 months or so, then got promoted. Now, I am taking a year off as i apply to dental school and am having a tough time trying to find an office that will hire me. Please, any advice you can give me on the subject will be greatly appreciated. btw i live in the san francisco bay area.

 

[jjangmes]

hi... i am currently shadowing for a dentist.. but how do you become a dental assistant? Thanks!

 

[SFPredent]

During my second year of undergrad I responded to a no-experience needed dental assisting job and started at 8.50/hr. He paid for my Xray license and after 1.5 years there I made 12/hr. I moved up to SF and started there at 16/hr a year ago, but make 20/hr now. A RDA should make more, but it depends on the doctor, assistant and location like others said. I make temps and polish and do the pedo prophy visits by myself just by learning in office.

 

[Dr.Jamie]

I started working for my uncle nine years ago at his practice and he paid me 7.50 an hour. Two years ago I got my coronal polishing license, and he upped me from about 13 to 16 because I was able to do more for him. I'm not sure if thats good or bad compared to others, but I was always happy with it. He was never able to keep me full time though, so I can no longer work for him. I need full time plus benefits.
I think he starts most of his assistants at anywhere from 10 to 12 bucks an hour, depending on experience.

 

[mestizo212]

do you need experience/training to become a dental assistent?

 

[ChitownDDS]

i had no experience and started off for a pedo last fall at $12, and retired this week making $15

 

[Paydent7]

i've been shadowing an oral surgeon who took my wisdom teeth out for about a month, neways now since i've been so good she asked me to start work for her as an assistant but the only problem is dat if i work im not gonna have time to study for my classes when school starts (will take organic, genetics, physics, speech n history), n i do need a job too but im juzz thinkin wud da hell should i do... i know i wanna be a dentist but i dunno if i should sacrifice my GPA now for some experience.. any creative thoughtS fellas?

 

[dmd2011]

do you need experience/training to become a dental assistent?

it really depends on the dentist who is looking to hire you. some want to train you themselves others want you to know how to assist when you start.

 

[sunnygirl807]

What dentist are you working for ? I am TN. RDA for 20 yrs. I was getting $25. I agree it really depends on the State, experience and DENTIST. I had lunch with a dentist today and this subject came up and he said, he knew a doctor that is paying assistant which had no ortho exp. or licenses (CDA,RDA) started off with $8 is now getting $35 an hour with a Ortho group less than a year! Believe it or not.

I work for a group practice in Memphis.
I can believe the $35/hr. When I was in DA school, a girl in my class answered a job ad that was listed in the break room for an othro assistant. He paid her $18 to start, with no experience. Our class had started 3 weeks prior.