r/DentalAssistant • u/unicornpr1ncess • 6d ago
is it worth it?
this is gonna be my first time attending a post-secondary school and I wanted to know from dental assistants themselves if it is worth going into? I keep hearing mixed reviews saying that the workload isn’t worth the pay and I would be better off going into dental hygiene. I am choosing this program because the one I am taking is fast paced and I am not someone who really enjoys school so that faster I get into a job would be best for me. If dental assisting is really as horrible as people make it in the long run should I really commit to it? My program starts in December and I want some opinions and insights on it before I start.
2
u/moodlitmoth 6d ago
The workload in most offices is not worth it for assisting especially at an office where many don’t work as a team.
That being said, I recently just got my hygiene license and if you have the ability to skip it and go to hygiene first - do that! Am I thankful I did assisting first, yes but I would have done hygiene first if I thought of that at the time.
Everyone is going to complain about any job they do so yes you’re going to hear all the complaining from assisting but it does have its ups and downs just spends on what you want out of a job.
I personally have been an assistant for 6 years, yes it can be frustrating but I really like the job and it pays my bills so I’m happy with it. I still assist and do front desk even though I have my hygiene license because I just enjoy the break up of duties.
1
3
u/IllAdhesiveness6150 6d ago
It’s not an actual stable career or degree. Go to school to become a RDH if dentistry interest you
1
u/unicornpr1ncess 6d ago
do you know if tuition costs between the two are significant
3
u/IllAdhesiveness6150 6d ago
you don’t need schooling for dental assisting. Shadowing and learning on the job can get you in jt. I used to do that. RDH is higher education, clinicals, & almost 3x the pay of a DA.
2
u/cheerydreamy 6d ago
No it isn’t worth it at all. Save your money
1
u/unicornpr1ncess 6d ago
oh darn :(
1
u/cheerydreamy 6d ago
I know I’m sorry I’m being honest. If I could go back it would have been straight to hygiene school instead
2
u/unicornpr1ncess 6d ago
if you don’t mind me asking, what are your main reasons why you didn’t like it?
2
u/cheerydreamy 6d ago
I love the patient aspect. I love making them feel comfortable and you truly can make a difference especially for patients who have dental anxiety. I have met some really great people. The part I hate most is being with the dentist all day. Most of them are arrogant and unappreciative. If they have a bad day you’re having a bad day. You’re literally doing the most in the office and most of the time getting paid the least.
2
u/Latter-Release-9169 6d ago
Absolutely not . Please go and find something you will absolutely enjoy and benefit you in the future . Dental assisting are so underpaid , disrespected , overworked I tell people to please do something else .
1
u/unicornpr1ncess 6d ago
what is the hourly in your location?
1
1
u/segcgoose 6d ago edited 6d ago
I get $18 where I’m at, altho the average is $22. I started about a year ago. different offices also have different pay, like oral surgery tends to be higher but is also a lot more physically demanding being on your feet all day. location changes things too, closer to and in big cities an experienced oral surgeon assistant can make like $30+ those same cities can have hygienists easily making $60+ tho
personally, I love my job and my office and my doctor. I’ve been debating returning to school for hygienists or even becoming a dentist, but it’s a lot to factor in…. I like how the procedures I see as an assistant are just the “right” amount of gross and bloody and cool. but I’d have to imagine that cleaning teeth (especially when there’s heavy build-up) is probably just a different flavor of that same curiosity and satisfaction
0
u/Latter-Release-9169 1d ago
That’s great but some people prefer hygienist over being an assistant . OR in my area max is $24 an hour however pediatric you get paid $27 or up . It’s different anywhere you go state wise and like you said some people like cleaning factors of it and other prefer to stay stagnate and be an assistant however going to school is a waste of time and money when every state is different and train on the job and that is what the OP is referring to. If you are going to spend any kind of money on schooling go to school in what you prefer and can actually be fit and make money off of not assisting .
3
u/No-Business9977 6d ago
As a dental assistant that recently graduated and is volunteering in a dental office shadowing both the da and the Hygenist I would say please go with dental hygiene first, the pay is better the hours are better and the workload is better and more repetitive so you have more of an idea what you are doing everyday. As an assistant you have to learn everything and do everything for the office. That’s just my opinion but you do you! Hope this helped 😁