working as a dental assistant!

[s0chon02]

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I'm taking the DAT on July 12th. I'm not taking any summer classes so i'm pretty much free after DAT. So, i'm thinking about getting a job in a dentist's office. Do you need training or a certification to work as a dental assistant?
I've shadowed in the office previously ( where i'm thinking about getting a job). What do you guys think?

 

[Regmata]

I think that you need a degree and certification to work as a dental assistant...why dont you just try shadowing, if you get lucky maybe the dentist will let you do a little assisting

 

[Toothguy80]

It takes a year to become a certified dental assistant/

I started volunteering in a dental office last year and they paid me after a few months but it's tedious...

But it looks SOOOO good on the app. because you learn a lot.

A lot of schools hate shadowing, cuz they think you just stand there and do squat...but when you assist, you actually do something and few dental students know how to assist..

suction away................

 

[clickytop]

It depends on the state. I know alot of places require no certification (other than an xray class that takes about half of a day at most community colleges). The real trick is finding a dentist who will hire you to just work for a few months...its a big hassle since by the time you get trained, you'll be leaving.

 

[Regmata]

Heh, I was thinking of a dental hygienist

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Heh, I was thinking of a dental hygienist

you definitely need a degree for that as far as i know

 

[Regmata]

yes you do

 

[pre-dentalguy]

I'm taking the DAT on July 12th. I'm not taking any summer classes so i'm pretty much free after DAT. So, i'm thinking about getting a job in a dentist's office. Do you need training or a certification to work as a dental assistant?
I've shadowed in the office previously ( where i'm thinking about getting a job). What do you guys think?

It's soley up to the DMD. It's required by most and recommended by all; however, if you have the knowledge then you'll be alright.

Marion

 

[tdh278]

Im working as a dental assistant for an oral surgeon right now and I dont have a certification. It really is solely up to your dentist, they might want you to be x-ray certified but I hear its a simple test and doesnt take much effort to do. I live in Texas and I was told I could get a dental assistant certification by going to the dental school in San Antonio and taking a 6 hr course followed by an exam to get a certification. (its probably the most basic certification, i know theres a certification where you have to take 3 different tests) But definitely ask your dentist though, its a great experience and definitely MUCH more fun than just shadowing. Good luck!

 

[clickytop]

Honestly, what would they teach in a dental assistant certification course? "Passing stuff 101"...or "Flossology"? What's there to know about wiping down rooms and throwing instruments in the autoclave? I'd say the only thing that actually took some time to learn was alginate impressions, and the only way to learn that is to do it. I did the whole dental assistant thing for 6 months before I started dental school...and the job could easily have been done by a trained monkey. The monkey would have complained less too. But I guess throwing feces is against "osha regulations" or whatever...so thats out.

 

[Mennkid]

I worked as a dental assistant for 5 years during school and never needed any sort of certification. A lot of dentists will hire you and train you the way that they want you to be trained. I don't think that you would be able to assist in the more difficult procedures, but you would be able to take x-rays, chart and assist with the hygienist. This all may very on what state you are in and their requirements.

 

[cabbagebrain]

Try looking up your state dental board and see what information you can find there. I am being trained as a Dental Assistant I, which basically means I can do the stuff where there is no chance of me screwing up someone's mouth. Being a Dental Assistant II requires training/certification.