Working as a dental assistant?

[bmstew]

---

Members don't see this ad.

This may be a stupid question, but I am currently in my time off between undergrad and dental school. I still have over a year left until I (hopefully) enroll, and I was hoping to get a job as a dental assistant in the meantime to get familiar with the environment. My question is, how would I go about doing this? I have a bachelor's degree in biology, but I read that some states require a two-year training course (or something along those lines). And once you get certified, how exactly do you apply? Just call around to dental offices and see if they need anyone? I'm really confused with this and really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

 

[punkin85]

I currently work as a dental assistant (surgical chairside) and do not have a certificate. Go around to a few dentists or specialists and just let them know your situation. A lot of them will work with you without a certificate.

 

[Lola620]

I think it may also depend on where you want to work. I am currently working as an assistant for a periodontist, and I love it. I also don't have a certificate. The experience has been most valuable as I have learned about the business side of dentistry as well as made useful connections within the dental community. Plus, it reaffirmed my passion for dentistry.

If you live in the Chicago area, I will be leaving my position as I will be going to dental school in August. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Rach7]

I will be starting to work as a dental assistant in a few days, and I have no training. Craigslist and Monster.com are good places to look for local dental assisting jobs. Make sure the office is willing to train you, many often are.

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

This may be a stupid question, but I am currently in my time off between undergrad and dental school. I still have over a year left until I (hopefully) enroll, and I was hoping to get a job as a dental assistant in the meantime to get familiar with the environment. My question is, how would I go about doing this? I have a bachelor's degree in biology, but I read that some states require a two-year training course (or something along those lines). And once you get certified, how exactly do you apply? Just call around to dental offices and see if they need anyone? I'm really confused with this and really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

I asked local dentist's in the area and a good majority respoded positively. After a while of volunteering I was offered paid positions and they put the money into certifying/training me. The problem you'll find with most dentist's is that they have to put resources into training you since you don't have any experience. I would write a cover letter + resume and hand it out to all the local dentist's in your area. follow it up with a phone call and see where you go from there. I know a lot of dentist's out there want to give back and want to teach pre-dents. best of luck 👍

 

[anschutz1913]

I looked into the same thing, but everybody i talked to said no way, "you're not x-ray certified"

so are you guys all x-ray cert'd or what?

 

[Vaheb]

I looked into the same thing, but everybody i talked to said no way, "you're not x-ray certified"

so are you guys all x-ray cert'd or what?

I'm not x-ray certified and I always do x-rays, about 20 a day. It's not that big of a deal..

 

[fcbdmb2]

i work as a dental and ortho assistant and i got mine through being a family friend... but i know the other people like knew someone who knew him and that type of deal so maybe ask around random people you know if they know of any dentists it might help you get a shot otherwise the resume will definitely help... and as far as those certifications i dont have any at all all my training was on the spot including all the types of xrays its really pretty easy too theres just like a few nuances...... but i would highly recommend doing it its great experience and youll learn a ton of useful stuff

anyway best of luck

 

[bmstew]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I looked on Monster.com earlier, and there were some listings for some openings in my area, so I guess I'll call around, explain the situation to them, and keep my fingers crossed! Thanks again for all the help and advice.

 

[angelnyc89]

I think I might do this. Thanks for the info. Good Luck!
But if you do get certified, do you know how long that is? Specifically in NY? TIA

 

[Dent44]

If you're on Long Island or in Queens my office is currently looking for someone to start immediately. No certificate needed in advance. PM me.

 

[dent2638]

anybody willing to post a ballpark figure for wages? I'm also looking into doing this over the summer and into next year, but need to figure out if it would be feasible for me to do this full time as an non-certified assistant.

 

[iamtony]

Isn't it illegal to not be registered now?

i guess since a couple people are getting hooked up by very generous people i thought i might just throw it out there in hope as well.

I'm looking for an assisting or reception job in houston/sugar land if anyone has any offers in the area or knowledge about where I can go. Unfortunately I too am uncertified and have no past experience🙁

 

[lphiewok]

Yes, it's illegal to work without certification and your dentist can be held liable if something happens and they find out that you were not certified. One time during work, my other assistant accidentally dropped composite contact ring (which was tied to a floss for
incidents like this) and started freaking out and this patient actually asked for her license plus called the State Board to confirm because the license we had at the office was a copy and not the original. Luckily she was certified and up to date with her registration so the patient just kinda let go of the situation but this could've turned ugly since people will try to find any excuse to start a law suit nowadays.

I am certified and registered dental assistant and I got my license from 1 day course which was offered by Texas Board of Dental Examiners (which also does board for dentists and you can easily search people's name on their website to see if they are certified/licensed assistant or dentists).

Your state board of examiners should offer short-term course which usually runs about $200-250 but IMO this is a good investment (having license was definitely big plus during my interview plus I was able to switch between different offices without worrying about not having my license, etc.).

Call or email your local board examiners and ask them about it. If you are lucky, you can even find a dentist who would pay for this course and let you work once you complete it (that was the case for me after calling about 50 different offices)

 

[TexanGal]

Okay, dumb question time... when y'all call, do you speak to the dentist directly? I've been looking for a job like the ones you've been describing for about two months now. When I call dental offices I'm usually asked to leave my name and number for the dentist, who 9/10 times doesn't call back. I usually fax my resume over but never hear a response from that either. I always have a cover letter attached with my situation/what I'm looking for. I feel like the only way to put yourself out there is to speak with the dentist directly... but sadly they're usually too busy for that. What have y'all done to work around this issue?

 

[stlouisboi2002]

This may be a stupid question, but I am currently in my time off between undergrad and dental school. I still have over a year left until I (hopefully) enroll, and I was hoping to get a job as a dental assistant in the meantime to get familiar with the environment. My question is, how would I go about doing this? I have a bachelor's degree in biology, but I read that some states require a two-year training course (or something along those lines). And once you get certified, how exactly do you apply? Just call around to dental offices and see if they need anyone? I'm really confused with this and really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

I am a certified dental assistant and it was hard for me to get a job for a while but I did "temping" for a while before I got my first DA job. I would call a couple of the local offices and tell them your situation and they probably will just let you volunteer/assist a little bit until they feel comfortable enough to you really get in there good. Now a days you dont really have to be certified to work in an office though they can hire you off the street so like I said get in good, then ask for a position until DS starts, most dentist will try to help you out👍

 

[Houstonhealth]

A fantastic opportunity to work in a excellent hospital located in the Middle East

 

[283507]

dude don't worry about being certified. just apply the worst they could say is no. i sent my resume to about 40 shops before i got a job as a dental assistant. as luck would have it the doctor i worked for had a close friend on the admissions committee @ BU ........now i am BU class of 2014. the worst thing you could do it nothing. if you wanna to be a DA just apply and good things tend to work out..... GOOD LUCK!

 

[rodneymoss]

go around your local dental practices, and like someone said.. explain your situation.. at times Dentists dont need your help.. but some are nice enough to help students.

Ive been working as a dental assistant for a year and volunteered -5months already.

I dont have a certificate.. nor do i have and x-ray cert.
doesnt hurt to try.


good luck