Where am I supposed to find a job?

[dewballs]

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So I've called 30 dental labs around me today and was told they had no positions for any of them. All the dental assisting jobs require experience so thats out of the question. What did all you who have lab or assisting jobs do to get there? How long is the dental assisting training if I were to do that? Someone help me out, I'm lost.

 

[Biogirl361]

i think getting an assisting job without experience and without intent to work full time is the sort of thing that you just happen to have the good luck to stumble into through knowing people or just happening to shadow a dentist that's willing to let you be an apprentice for a few months. at least that is how it happened to me. i think formal assistant training is like a 1 or 2 year program. If i was you I would just start by shadowing a variety of dentists, which is enough to get you into schools anyhow, and then if you get offered an assisting job more power to you. you can also try checking the classifieds, I have seen dental assistant ads/no experience neccesary in there from time to time although like i say it would be tough to get the job if they know you're going to leave and go back to college in 3 months.

 

[blankguy]

So I've called 30 dental labs around me today and was told they had no positions for any of them. All the dental assisting jobs require experience so thats out of the question. What did all you who have lab or assisting jobs do to get there? How long is the dental assisting training if I were to do that? Someone help me out, I'm lost.

Unless you already are dental assistant then its not worth it. It will merely sidetrack you from the ultimate goal of getting into dental school. I observed a dentist and I quickly realized that the only thing I was capable of doing or was qualified to do was a little front office help. I have checked dental assisting programs around Boston but that is 3 months of fulltime committment. Really not worth it. You do have a personal dentist right? Talk to him/her even if he/she doesn't need anybody maybe he/she can refer you to somebody who does or a good resource to getting volunteer or job experience.

 

[airvent]

As far as being a dental assistant you can begin by volunteering or offering to work for a reduced wage. Tell them that you are applying to dental school and would like the experience. I would be surprised if you could not find a detist to take you on.

Labs are more difficult, especially now that ALOT of them are sending the actual work to China (TRUE). There are some small labs that may still do the work but they are usually 1-2 person lab. The big labs send it out.

 

[blankguy]

I think dental assisting is a separate career path. I don't think people realize that here. If you are a dental assistant then more power to you but if not just be pragmatic in getting any job in a dental environment even if it means filing patient files. I talked to dental assistants and this is what they made it out to be.

 

[airvent]

Being a dental assistamt is entry level. I ve been doing it for a few years. Onthe job training with a patient dentist, then Xray certifiation for $135.

You can make it a career by taking some advanced training courses to increase you functionality around the office, but basically anyone with two arms can do it. ANd it looks good to the adcoms. Better than just observing, because you stayed longer, and its as close to the actual dental work as you can get.

 

[blankguy]

Being a dental assistamt is entry level. I ve been doing it for a few years. Onthe job training with a patient dentist, then Xray certifiation for $135.

You can make it a career by taking some advanced training courses to increase you functionality around the office, but basically anyone with two arms can do it. ANd it looks good to the adcoms. Better than just observing, because you stayed longer, and its as close to the actual dental work as you can get.

Yes but the problem is it does require more time than an extracurricular activity that dental school look for and you could get seriously sidetracked. Also who is going to hire a dental assistant that they know right away is going to go to dental school and quit? The point I'm making is that if you already are a dental assistant then more power to you but if not then you don't need to go that far.

 

[dewballs]

I agree...I'm not about to sign up for a year + of dental assisting training only to be (hopefully) leaving in two for dental school. I mean I could probably find another job part time thats not healtcare related but I really want to have some experience there, I think it would help out my chances big time.

 

[airvent]

Well its a job in the career you are pursuing.

It easy to get. Its not some massive commitment. Most Dentists know your situation since they have been through it and would enjoy a chance to be a mentor. Its is so freaking easy to sit there and suck spit and pass the dentist the tools. You will not be expected to do much more than that unless ask for more duties.

All i am saying is that it is the perfect opportunity for a pre-dent, and it is not some major commitment or job that requires anymore training than cleaning the french fry machine at McDonalds

 

[predentchick]

I would also try looking into hygiene assistant positions. That is entry level and doesn't require any previous experience. Some hygienists like to hire assistants to help them with perio charting and sterilization. That is an option.

 

[eran76]

Sterilization Tech!!!! well... that's what I do anyway. I work afternoons at a busy general practice where I sterilize trays, instruments, operatories, pour models, general office duties, perio-charting (recording), and some assisting if they really need the help. Check www.Craigslist.com for your city or your school paper classifieds.

 

[snwman]

The key is to just keep trying. You might get lucky and find what I did. An assistant was going out on maternity leave for 3 months and I was looking for a 3 month job. They could pay me less than a temp and I was more than happy and made more than I could have hoped for. Another option is to find a free (or reduced price) clinic. They are usualy looking for anything they can get and might be willing to take you on even if you are just suckin' spit during some fillings.

 

[emillsemily]

Being a dental assistamt is entry level. I ve been doing it for a few years. Onthe job training with a patient dentist, then Xray certifiation for $135.

You can make it a career by taking some advanced training courses to increase you functionality around the office, but basically anyone with two arms can do it. ANd it looks good to the adcoms. Better than just observing, because you stayed longer, and its as close to the actual dental work as you can get.

Can I ask where you found this Xray certification for $135? All courses I have found tend to be $600 to $1000 and at least 1 year long.

 

[HermeytheElf]

Can I ask where you found this Xray certification for $135? All courses I have found tend to be $600 to $1000 and at least 1 year long.

I took mine at a community college...I think it was around $130. And it was one afternoon for about six hours. The courses you're looking at must be something else.

 

[MAK1186]

Although like everyone else has said you do not have to be a dental assistant to shadow, observe, and sometimes assist, if you do want to become one I can give you some advice. I currently shadow a dentist near my school. It is a very busy practice and they are in need dental assistants. For that reason, I am studying to become a dental assistant online at Penn Foster Career School.

http://pennfoster.edu/dental/index.html

This program takes the average person 6 months studying a half hour to an hour a day. Being I'm a full time student, it is sometimes hard to find time to study, so when I don't have time to study I don't. They give you 2 years to complete the program and you work at your own pace. Already I've learned a lot that helps me understand many things while shadowing. I hope to finish up the program by the beginning of the summer. If you have any questions feel free to PM me. =)

 

[SFPredent]

I took an assisting job advertising no experience needed. The pay was bad but the experience was amazing. After a few months the Dr. paid for my xray license class and coronal polishing class (both short and pretty easy). Now I make almost three times what I started at there and I know pretty clearly what I am getting myself into. I see assisting or sterilizing jobs on Craigslist every now and then, so keep your eye out. If that does not work, see if you can get an unpaid internship at a dentist you know or have shadowed, and at the end of your, say, three month internship they may just hire you. If not, free training to look for a job elsewhere.