Dental/Orthodontic Assistant Training??

Question

I just moved from VA back to NJ, and I have a certificate as a Dental Ortho. Assistant, but I can also be a dental Assistant. Does anyone on here know who hires or is hiring any dental assistants in South Jersey near Vineland? I'm willing to travel 30 miles, like near the Voorhees area also. Also, I owuld need training because I just have a certificate. Does anyone know who hires and trains?

I'm a very hard worker. I learn fast and I'm very reliable. If there are any fax numbers, I'd like them so I can send my resume to them. Any websites would be great also. I just really need a job, and I'd like a job as a dental Assistant.

I mean, in school, my teacher said this world is in need of Dental Assistants, but then if you don't train them, how is this world ever going to learn to be a dental assistant?

Answer 1

Hello...It's long been known that most local Dental Supply Companies are aware of what dentists are looking for office help...Go to the yellow pages and look up Dental Supply Companies and call the ones near you....Also, Dental Laboratories tend to know what DDS is looking for help...Good luck and I wish you well.

Answer 2

Start phoning dental offices and ask to speak to the office manager.

Ask if their office is hiring dental assistants right now, and if they say yes, then request an interview. If they say no, then ask if they know a dentist who is hiring. Sometimes they do.

Your first interview probably will be with the office manager, not the dentist. Dress as you would for a business meeting. Then give that person across the desk the strong impression that you are a team player.

Every dentist does things a bit differently and expects to train even their experienced assistants somewhat. But you should brush up on at least the names of the instruments, and the way they are laid out on the tray. Also review what you learned about dental hygiene and radiology.

You might bring along to your interviews a single page resume that lists the dental assisting skills you learned in training, along with a cover letter that states that although you don't have job experience you are "a hard worker, learn fast and are very reliable," just as you stated above.

And if your teacher would write you a letter of recommendation saying you demonstrated those qualities as a student that could help you, too.

Just keep putting yourself out there, and good luck. Some dentists do hire people with no experience, and you at least have a dental assistant training certificate.

And don't be apologetic that you trained to be a dental orthodontic assistant. Often they have  to learn everything a general dental assistant does and then some.

HTH