Saturday, May 15, 2010

If you're a dental assistant, do you love it? What is your pay?

I'm going to school to be an assistant and I love it so far. I'm just wanting to know how others feel and what I can expect. My instructor is a huge help, but I'd like to hear from some other people.

If you're a dental assistant, do you love it? What is your pay?
I was a dental assistant for many years before becoming an office manager for a dental office. I absolutely loved it! There are so many different things you can do as an assistant. It's a great field to go into. As for pay, I live in CA close to San Francisco so starting off I got $14/hr and it went up to $20/hr after I had a few years experience.
Reply:If you love it the pay won't matter
Reply:I have been a Qualified/Registered Dental Nurse/assistant for many years and i still really enjoy my job.


I have been working with my current dentist for 6 years now and we have built up a really great working relationship, i learnt very quickly to read his mind and keep one step ahead of him, it makes my job a lot easier and saves us time whilst in the surgery, i know what he needs, when he needs it, so he carry on with the job and not have to worry about instruments not being ready for when he needs them!


Studying at school is great, as you begin to gain an understanding in dental terminology and yourself confidence will really show, you'll find yourself answering patients questions instead of waiting for the dentist to do it for you.


Over the years i have built up a great Patient/Nurse bond with most of my patients,patients really do put their trust in you whilst they are in the surgery, so you need to be able to communicate with people from all walks of life, a caring,friendly, approachable manner really helps and really puts patients at ease.


Many of my patients comment on how cheerful and helpful i am and that makes me feel good, not for the nice compliments, but because im doing my job properly and patients pick up on these things.


I'd hate to visit my regular dentist and come face to face with his nurse looking like she was in a foul mood, any confidence a patient has would be shattered!


A good sense of humour can get you through some really difficult, stressful days, and you have to be able to take constructive criticism, dont take it personally if a dentist sometimes barks orders at you, or gets stressed if a material is not mixed to his/her liking, it's all part of the learning process.


Dont be afraid to ask the dentist questions, these guys and gals are a brilliant source of information and can really help with your studies!


Pay varies, some dentits are willing to pay good money for good nurses, others sadly will and do pay their nurses very poorly.


My pay is about average, i get more than our other nurse as i have my National quaifacation, im registered and i also hold the Oral Health Educators qualifaction, im also just about to start studying for my Dental Radiography qualifacation.


I really hope that you remain in this profession, it's hard work but really interesting!


Good luck


Jackie

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