How to Get a Job as a Dental Assistant
Even dental assistants living in a state that doesn’t require licensure should work to attain one, according to Pohl. Not only will a license distinguish you in terms of experience and knowledge, but it’s also in the best interest of the patients. “The average person would be appalled if they were to find out the person working in their mouth doesn’t have accreditation, licensing, or credentials,” she says.
“If I were hiring a dental assistant, I’d look for someone with some education and the licensure that’s appropriate for their state,” Pohl adds. “I’d also want a worker who was good with people, who is a team player, and who can get along with others, and who has an I’m-in-it-to-help-everybody attitude.”
What is the Job Like?
The job can be stressful at times, largely because patients feel apprehensive when sitting in a dental chair. And similar to the workday (and demands) of a dentist or dental hygienist, assistants spend a large part of their day standing, crouched over the head and mouth of a patient. The flip side of having a job that requires lots of standing is that some dental assistants work part-time.
