For dental hygenist and/or assistants!!!!!!!!!!!!?

what are the pros and cons of ur job? the pay? and how many hours a week do u work??? thanks.

For dental hygenist and/or assistants!!!!!!!!!!!!?
Next May will mark my 30th year as a Dental Assistant~





......and I'm still very happy with choosing this profession.





I'm not 'told what to do', since I'm licensed and have my own patients... I work chairside as well with my boss, but again, I'm not 'told what to do' since the reason for four-handed dentistry is to make the appointments run smoothly, so I anticipate what he needs next and have it ready for him before he even asks for it..





Entry-level salary can be anywhere from $10-$15 in my area... and of course that increases as the knowledge increases...and eventual state licensure.





I work full time, with benefits and paid holidays.... no evenings or weekends.





The only 'con' I can think of is you have to deal with 'cranky' patients occasionally, but it's done with a smile on your face anyway... not everyone is happy 24/7, especially when their at the dentist's office!





Dental assisting is not repetetive, and each patient's treatment is different if you work for a general dentist.... so you need to know quite a bit... If you work with a specialist, you'll excel at your job since you're doing the same thing over and over again.... very much like being a hygienist.





Overall: you need to be a people-person to work anwhere in the healthcare field..... then your options are there for you to choose which path will make you the most fulfilled.





:)
Reply:You can search the internet to check the average pay for both of these professions in your area. You need to go to a Dental Hygiene school to get your Associates degree in Dental Hygiene (it's a full time program and kind of demanding, too). To be a Dental Assistant, depending on what state you live in, you either need a few month course, or just a training on the job. Working as a dental assistant can be fun, but a lot depends on the people you work with. If you get stuck with not so nice dentist or mean staff, than it's a problem. Dental assistant's job description varies from one office to another. Basically you get everything ready, assist the dentist during the procedure, make patient comfortable, clean up, depending on the dentist and your skills you do some steps of the dental procedure yourself. I've done it for about 12 years, and finally decided to go to Dental Hygiene school. As I get older, being told what to do all the time bothers me more and more...





Dental Assistant:


pros: working with people, helping them, it's not a "behind a desk" job, opportunity to perform many different tasks every day, doesn't get boring


cons: being told what to do almost every single step of the way, very limited decision making, long hours, not much of a career advance opportunity, musculoskeletal injuries





Dental Hygienist:


pros: earn more money, have your own schedule, your own patients, be more independent of the dentist than a dental assistant, more respected profession, more job opportunities


cons: 2-year full time school, not as much variety as dental assistant's job, can get repetitive, musculoskeletal injuries





I wish you best of luck with whatever career you decide to have.
Reply:I used to be a dental assistant and the reason I left the profession was because...well, it just wasn't my cup of tea.


I had to fight the feelings of passing out or throwing up during bloody procedures. I really didn't care for it, but each person is different. Let me warn you, not every patient has clean teeth...it can get pretty nasty.


The pros:


Usually only work 4 days a week


Rarely have to work on weekends/evenings


Helping patients





The cons:


Starting pay is horrible for all of the hard work that you do


You are on your feet more than you had hoped


Very physically draining job/constantly on the move


Have to work under a dentist/lack of independence


Some procedures are bloody and can make you feel sick (if you haven't acquired the stomach for it)


People usually aren't happy to be at the dentist office





You may be perfectly happy in this field, but my experience was not one that I'd want to go back to. Also, even if you work for a nice dentist, there are times when he will feel pressure, and typically, will come down on you. I have had to leave one of my previous dental jobs because the dentist would scream at me like I was a dog. Not all dentist are like this, but there are some that are.