Jobs for unlicensed BDS

[thegoodmember]

Hey FTDs
I am looking for jobs that would accept BDS as qualification (have PR so no visa issues here). Right now, i guess dental assisting is the job ,that most foreign dentists pursue.
Is it easy to find job with BDS in general ?
Are US dentists willing to offer Dental assistant job for foreign dentist?
Are we treated equal to US dental assistants or are dentist more likely to hire them over foreign dentists?
How is the pay ? Entry level for example
If anyone had luck finding any other job opportunities , please share your experience.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[canine2012]

Its hard to find a dental assistant job if you don't have any experience. Sometimes you have to do some volunteer work to get some experience and then try to find paid job. Many dentists want x-ray license.

 

[thegoodmember]

Hey canine2012
I take it that you have some insight about the process.
Have you been employed as DA ?
How much experience is typically required 1 or 3 month or they want to see full year ?

 

[oralcare123]

You might not like, what I have to say, but it's often true.
It is possible to find a job as a DA. Easy, if you don't say, that you are a dentist and if you perform well. Meaning you have a right to make X-rays at least. Better if you become registered DA and be able to make impressions and polish teeth. You need to be fast and efficient.
Quite possible you would not be payed well or treated well
No, most dentists don't like Foreign dentists, because they understand what is happening, which sometimes is illegal or unethical - they don't want to be reported

 

[veroanalee]

Where do you live? Check the stat requirements for X-ray certification. Also, you can get a job as a Oral Surgery assistant. Sometimes they like to train new people. It will be great for them because it is a lot of responsability, and as a dentist you are aware of medical problems, etc. Be aware that dental assisting is very tough job.

 

[ped in]

This is the most idiotic reason i have ever heard about not hiring a foreign trained dentist as an assistant. Now let me give you couple of reasons of why I would be unwilling to hire a FTD as an assistant

1) no body wants temp assistant . For you this is not your ultimate goal . You will move on after getting accepted in xyz program. Shouldn't I hire a more permanent assistant ?

2) most of the FTD are not good with taking full mouth radiographs, pano , making provisionals etc.

3) communication skill. You are not native speaker. Owner dentist like to hire staff who can relate to the patient.

Reporting because dentist are doing illegal work .. ha .. I am amazed!




No, most dentists don't like Foreign dentists, because they understand what is happening, which sometimes is illegal or unethical - they don't want to be reported[/QUOTE]

 

[ncide]

You'll find a job just fine if you want to be an assistant. I've worked with a few other assistants who were foreign trained dentists in their native country. If you want to have the best income, try to land a job in OS or ortho.

The folks who comment that dentists don't want to hire FTD don't know what they're talking about.

 

[oralcare123]

This is the most idiotic reason i have ever heard about not hiring a foreign trained dentist as an assistant. Now let me give you couple of reasons of why I would be unwilling to hire a FTD as an assistant

1) no body wants temp assistant . For you this is not your ultimate goal . You will move on after getting accepted in xyz program. Shouldn't I hire a more permanent assistant ?

2) most of the FTD are not good with taking full mouth radiographs, pano , making provisionals etc.

3) communication skill. You are not native speaker. Owner dentist like to hire staff who can relate to the patient.

Reporting because dentist are doing illegal work .. ha .. I am amazed!




No, most dentists don't like Foreign dentists, because they understand what is happening, which sometimes is illegal or unethical - they don't want to be reported

[/QUOTE]
Not every FTD is more illiterate, then you are. Or you are doing it on purpose?
Dentists don't care if you are a trained monkey, as long as you are doing your job without questioning it and don't ask for much money.
It takes a while for an average FTD to get accepted, so they are retained at the job no less then an average assistant
I know, what I am talking about - I worked for several dentists of different ethnic backgrounds. I was a witness to malpractice, downright fraud, unethical behavior and general stupidity on a regular basis. They didn't throw instruments at me, like at my friend, only because they knew I would throw them back
The last dentist admitted that he was exhausted watching his back all the time and would have preferred someone, who does not understand
At the same time FTD can't just go and start working without reading some DA books or taking some courses

 

[oralcare123]

You'll find a job just fine if you want to be an assistant. I've worked with a few other assistants who were foreign trained dentists in their native country. If you want to have the best income, try to land a job in OS or ortho.

The folks who comment that dentists don't want to hire FTD don't know what they're talking about.

Have you hired at least one FTD to talk like that? Guess not
OS or Ortho are not going to hire someone without proper training and safety certificates
Just cleaning ops and instruments will gain a minimum wage. Chair side assisting without x-rays- a little more

 

[ped in]

ignorance is really a bliss for you. I have an office of my own and I do care that I don't hire a trained monkey. I feel bad for your employers. But keep it up, your attitude will take you a long way!


Not every FTD is more illiterate, then you are. Or you are doing it on purpose?
Dentists don't care if you are a trained monkey, as long as you are doing your job without questioning it and don't ask for much money.
It takes a while for an average FTD to get accepted, so they are retained at the job no less then an average assistant
I know, what I am talking about - I worked for several dentists of different ethnic backgrounds. I was a witness to malpractice, downright fraud, unethical behavior and general stupidity on a regular basis. They didn't throw instruments at me, like at my friend, only because they knew I would throw them back
The last dentist admitted that he was exhausted watching his back all the time and would have preferred someone, who does not understand
At the same time FTD can't just go and start working without reading some DA books or taking some courses[/QUOTE]

 

[ncide]

Have you hired at least one FTD to talk like that? Guess not
OS or Ortho are not going to hire someone without proper training and safety certificates
Just cleaning ops and instruments will gain a minimum wage. Chair side assisting without x-rays- a little more

I was untrained before becoming hired as an assistant in an ortho office, and a buddy of mine was the same when he was hired as an oral surgery assistant. I've trained several assistants before going on to dental school and what's most important is willingness to learn and a good work ethic. If you know the dental materials and lingo, that's great. That's why being a FTD isn't a bad thing. My buddy has a pretty thick accent, and that didn't hold him back. His attitude and personality made him the best paid assistant in the practice.

I made $18.50 an hour and my buddy made $24. My girlfriend who worked a few years more than I earned $25 and was trained as an ortho assistant after working in general for a few years before that.

I've worked alongside 30 different dentists and never witnessed fraud or unethical behavior. Some had a bone to pick with people and or were rough around the edges, but never downright crossed boundaries that would jeopardize their license. Of course there are people out there that skirt the law, and it's unfortunate that you ran into those people, but they aren't all that common.

 

[oralcare123]

I was untrained before becoming hired as an assistant in an ortho office, and a buddy of mine was the same when he was hired as an oral surgery assistant. I've trained several assistants before going on to dental school and what's most important is willingness to learn and a good work ethic. If you know the dental materials and lingo, that's great. That's why being a FTD isn't a bad thing. My buddy has a pretty thick accent, and that didn't hold him back. His attitude and personality made him the best paid assistant in the practice.

I made $18.50 an hour and my buddy made $24. My girlfriend who worked a few years more than I earned $25 and was trained as an ortho assistant after working in general for a few years before that.

I've worked alongside 30 different dentists and never witnessed fraud or unethical behavior. Some had a bone to pick with people and or were rough around the edges, but never downright crossed boundaries that would jeopardize their license. Of course there are people out there that skirt the law, and it's unfortunate that you ran into those people, but they aren't all that common.

Good for you. I was not that lucky.
I worked for roughly a dozen of dentists and every single one of them had something to hide.
Don't forget, that on job training not enough for some places.
Did you do wire replacement, X rays and impressions without proper licensing?

 

[oralcare123]

ignorance is really a bliss for you. I have an office of my own and I do care that I don't hire a trained monkey. I feel bad for your employers. But keep it up, your attitude will take you a long way!



Not every FTD is more illiterate, then you are. Or you are doing it on purpose?
Dentists don't care if you are a trained monkey, as long as you are doing your job without questioning it and don't ask for much money.
It takes a while for an average FTD to get accepted, so they are retained at the job no less then an average assistant
I know, what I am talking about - I worked for several dentists of different ethnic backgrounds. I was a witness to malpractice, downright fraud, unethical behavior and general stupidity on a regular basis. They didn't throw instruments at me, like at my friend, only because they knew I would throw them back
The last dentist admitted that he was exhausted watching his back all the time and would have preferred someone, who does not understand
At the same time FTD can't just go and start working without reading some DA books or taking some courses

[/QUOTE]
Thank you for taking your time and respecting English in this post

 

[ncide]

Good for you. I was not that lucky.
I worked for roughly a dozen of dentists and every single one of them had something to hide.
Don't forget, that on job training not enough for some places.
Did you do wire replacement, X rays and impressions without proper licensing?

State laws differ. Back in Washington state it's relatively easy to get licensed and all you need to do is some paperwork. I took a quick 10 week course to get familiar with dental procedures (general) and then applied to a couple of places (about 40) and got 2 interviews initially. Then worked at those two general dental practices, but still kept my eyes out for a new job since the pay wasn't great. A few weeks later I got interviews at an oral surgery office and an ortho office. I went into ortho with absolutely no ortho experience.

In the time I was there, I learned everything. I took x-rays, prepared teeth for bracket placement, placed bands and ortho appliances, took impressions, replaced wires, took records, placed invisalign attachments and permanent retainers, helped in consultations and took part in every procedure that the doctor was involved in. The whole nine yards. Towards the end I was seeing more patients than any other ortho assistant in the office. I ended up taking up every opportunity to work with the other specialists when my orthodontist wasn't there (endo, OS, perio, prosth, as well as general). The doctors were happy to have someone to help. I'm telling you that attitude and hard work ethic goes a long way. I was usually the first assistant there in the mornings and the last to leave, and the doctors saw that and were happy to take me in to teach me their trade.

 

[veroanalee]

We learn from good and bad experiences. One thing that we all agree it is a hard job, still enjoyable. Good luck!

 

[oralcare123]

State laws differ. Back in Washington state it's relatively easy to get licensed and all you need to do is some paperwork. I took a quick 10 week course to get familiar with dental procedures (general) and then applied to a couple of places (about 40) and got 2 interviews initially. Then worked at those two general dental practices, but still kept my eyes out for a new job since the pay wasn't great. A few weeks later I got interviews at an oral surgery office and an ortho office. I went into ortho with absolutely no ortho experience.

In the time I was there, I learned everything. I took x-rays, prepared teeth for bracket placement, placed bands and ortho appliances, took impressions, replaced wires, took records, placed invisalign attachments and permanent retainers, helped in consultations and took part in every procedure that the doctor was involved in. The whole nine yards. Towards the end I was seeing more patients than any other ortho assistant in the office. I ended up taking up every opportunity to work with the other specialists when my orthodontist wasn't there (endo, OS, perio, prosth, as well as general). The doctors were happy to have someone to help. I'm telling you that attitude and hard work ethic goes a long way. I was usually the first assistant there in the mornings and the last to leave, and the doctors saw that and were happy to take me in to teach me their trade.

Hard to believe you did all that without a license

 

[thegoodmember]

i really appreciate your help by sharing your thoughts. I think we can argue without getting aggressive. Afterall everyone is speaking about his own experience. However i am starting to get confused right now. Should i tell the employer/dentist that i am foreign dentist or not ?
Also, i didn't expect this job to pay this good at 18.5 $ . i thought dentists would throw 12$ /hour for any entry level assistant. I guess high pay is only common at states like NY , CA

 

[ncide]

Hard to believe you did all that without a license

Registration for a dental assistant is straightforward in Washington state, and all I needed to do was get a CPR certification, take a 7 hour course on HIV and blood-born pathogens, and provide some personal information. I took a 10 week course to feel more comfortable with the material and to help get my first job, but after that I was mostly trained on the job.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermi...worUpdate/DentalAssistant/LicenseRequirements

 

[ncide]

i really appreciate your help by sharing your thoughts. I think we can argue without getting aggressive. Afterall everyone is speaking about his own experience. However i am starting to get confused right now. Should i tell the employer/dentist that i am foreign dentist or not ?
Also, i didn't expect this job to pay this good at 18.5 $ . i thought dentists would throw 12$ /hour for any entry level assistant. I guess high pay is only common at states like NY , CA

Honestly I think you're fine telling them you are a foreign trained dentist. That should offset a low starting wage since you are already familiar with the procedures and materials used in dentistry. You're not exactly entry-level in the field like I was.

I started out at $12/hour but specialties can afford to pay assistants more so that's why I kept looking elsewhere. There's a bit more autonomy in ortho so the procedures are more interesting to be involved in.

In WA you can become an expanded functions assistant, which requires certification rather than a simple registration, and that will allow you to place restorations and anesthetize, among other things. As an EFDA, you can earn more in general dentistry.

 

[docjimmi]

Hello everyone!
Can anybody please guide how to become a Dental assistant in California? As a foreign trained dentist can i work directly? (I'm a green card holder so otherwise legal to work)
Also can anybody tell how to get research experience and get publications posted?

 

[Dentomaniac2012]

There are some states that will let you practice with a foreign dental degree but it will take some time to get the applications processed and the state dental boards to come back with their decision. If you don't mind limiting your practice as faculty in a dental university, there are more options. I have written a post on this that might help you.
How can a foreign trained dentist practice in USA?

 

[thegoodmember]

well written post , your post is really helpful. But, we are speaking about dental assistant job , not dentists jobs because dentist jobs are not an option without US training.

 

[Sarahbebo]

I live in sacramento and i also have this problem im looking for a dental assistant job yet they all requires certification or license, if there is any ine that knows something on how to work here please help

 

[thegoodmember]

Hey sarahbebo
You can easily get those certifications required for applying to a job. You have :
1- RDA license which you can get as foreign dentist after passing couple of dental assistant exams, these exams are easy but they will cost you.. Check national board dental assistant website.
2- Xray license which you can get after completion of short training (week or though). Offered at many institution, there is one in California offering 3 day x ray course for dental assistant but i can't remember the name of institution. Google xray training for dental assistants.
3- all other certifications are really easy to get Bls/ Cpr / Hiipa / Osha

For searching for employment or jobs,
1- try hiring or recruitment agencies.
2- contact dentists in your area. Try to meet them in person and giving them your resume instead of sending message or calling their practice because usually their staff won't allow you to contact the dentist.
3- check on line job posting website. Those websites sometimes offer outdated or unreal opportunity so don't rely on them.
Hope this helps you.. Good luck