My best friend is a Dental Assistant and she hates it. She is going back to school for nursing. If you decide to pursue it, make sure your program will give you orthodontic experience. In ortho offices, you would work more independently and make more money.
Pros:
-Schooling usually only takes 9 months -1 year & you are certified.
-It is often a temporary job for people like dental hygiene students who are waiting to be accepted into their program (high turn-over rate), so there are usually plenty of job openings.
-In orthodontic offices, the work is very hands-on and there is more patient interaction. Much more independent than when working in a dentist's office (& higher pay).
-If full time, you may be eligible for benefits.
Cons:
-Pay is not great, usually around $10 per hour, $15 at most. (This is because a certificate is not required to be a D. Asst. Anyone can be trained on the job).
-No opportunity for advancement
-Not a lot of hands-on work involved if working in a dentist's office (as opposed to an ortho office). You would mainly sterilize instruments/equipment and then be there to help out the dentist during procedures. You may assist in xrays, making molds, etc., which can get old.
Comments
My best friend is a Dental Assistant and she hates it. She is going back to school for nursing. If you decide to pursue it, make sure your program will give you orthodontic experience. In ortho offices, you would work more independently and make more money.
Pros:
-Schooling usually only takes 9 months -1 year & you are certified.
-It is often a temporary job for people like dental hygiene students who are waiting to be accepted into their program (high turn-over rate), so there are usually plenty of job openings.
-In orthodontic offices, the work is very hands-on and there is more patient interaction. Much more independent than when working in a dentist's office (& higher pay).
-If full time, you may be eligible for benefits.
Cons:
-Pay is not great, usually around $10 per hour, $15 at most. (This is because a certificate is not required to be a D. Asst. Anyone can be trained on the job).
-No opportunity for advancement
-Not a lot of hands-on work involved if working in a dentist's office (as opposed to an ortho office). You would mainly sterilize instruments/equipment and then be there to help out the dentist during procedures. You may assist in xrays, making molds, etc., which can get old.