Difficulty becoming a Dental Assistant! Please Help!?

I am a student in the Los Angeles area. I am currently in school taking prerequisites for the Dental Hygiene Program at USC. I just started, so I have a way to go. I have been trying to get a job as a Dental Assistant in the meanwhile, but so far, no luck. I worked at 2 different places as an assistant, and both fired me. They said they don't have time to train. I learned very quickly. I am allready familiar with most of the appliances and setting up/cleaning up. I am also 100% familiar with the sterilization process. I don't want to give up my hopes so I am looking for another job in the field, just to gain experience until I get into the Dental Hygiene Program.





Basically speaking. my question is, how can I get a job as a Dental Assistant (w/out assisting school) and keep it!? What are Dentist's mainly looking for? How can I convince a Dentist that training me would be a good idea and that I really am reliable and a quick-learner and a hard worker??? Please help guys,I'm desperate!

Difficulty becoming a Dental Assistant! Please Help!?
Personally, I would prefer NOT to hire someone who declared up front that they planned on working for a year or so and then leaving the job to enter hygiene school. Even if you get a fully trained and certified assistant, it takes a couple of years to get them on your wavelength.





You might do better just looking for work as a sterilization assistant in a large group practice or possibly as a hygiene assistant in one of the more sophisticated practices. That way, they wouldn't feel like they have to teach you everything about everything (which slows down the whole process) and you'd still be getting some exposure to your future career.
Reply:I always considered 'dental assisting school' to be a liability....not an asset. I much prefer to train my OWN assistants in the way I want them to do things...much easier to do this than have to 'un-train' a person. I look for 'character' in an applicant...someone who will learn quicklyl...be dependable and have an interest in what is going on.... ALL the time.
Reply:I was an Assistant for 10 years before I went back to school. Basically, you need to put yourself out there. Ask to speak with the doctors personally. You are going to need someone that is patient and understanding to take you on and train you.


They are out there...use your charms, or ask if you can volunteer for a day or so just to show your skills, at the same time picking up some and show them that you are excellent with patients.


best of luck
Reply:hi


Make up a small bio on yourself. Describe yourself(ie self motivated) state that you are will ing to do a two week unpaid internship. This may well help get you in the door, and then you will have some experience (without beeing fired) to add to your bio.
Reply:My expeience in the field.... if you are friendly entergetic and the patients love you that is total job security right there, you may be the best dental assistant in the world, but if you lack the interaction with the patients, you'll more than likely get the boot.