What is it like to be a Dental Assistant?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Its a really good job and does pay well (depending on lots of things, location etc). I personally think its better than being an Oral Hygienist. It feels more worthwhile as hygienists work only part time and they only clean the teeth. That's really it. As an assistant, you are flexible and have more responsibilities such as reception duties, assisting the dentist in all procedures, making sure everything the instruments, chair is clean, book keeping and overall running the practice. In some practices, dental assistants are also known as "Practice Managers". So if you are going to change your career path in the future, you will take a lot of work-experience from being a Dental assistant. And training is usually given on the job so dont worry if your skills and knowledge are not up to scratch. It's not that stressful unless you were very busy. Its good if you want to go in the medical field especially the dental field.

It depends on what you consider as paying well. I personally do not think it pays well. I'm not sure how it is where you are, but in Seattle you do not need to go to college to become a dental assistant. Your job opportunities are fairly limited as well. You are restricted to working as an assistant-though you can work in different types of offices such as general dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics. Depending on how long you would like to be in school, a much better opportunity would be a dental hygienist. The pay is extremely higher and it's about 4 years total. (2 years of prerequisites, 2 years of hygiene school.)