I am planning on doing dental Hygiene in the end, but thought I would start with assisting while I am getting my pre req.s done for the program. I am a straight man 38. Is it hard for to find a assistant job right out of school in San Diego? As a man? What will I stand to make to start..lowest/highest?
The dental field always has demand for mature, dedicated trained professionals. I want to emphasize the professional part. Acting with professionalism will go a long way in getting hired. Just because one has taken a dental assisting course doesn’t mean they have the tact and caring that is required to be a good clinician. Know your material, be willing to learn, never be afraid of asking a question… there is much to learn beyond what school will teach you.
Being male shouldn’t make much difference, I’ve worked with many male assistants and hygienists. What will make a difference is the quality of school you’ve trained with. Do your research. Call a few dentists and ask if they’d share their opinion on the best schools to attend in your area. DA school can be expensive, make sure you invest your money in a school that is recognized by the field. Also, check with COMDA to ensure the school is accredited.
Wages in SoCal are lower than other areas. I’m not certain on San Diego, but LA you can expect anywhere from $9-15/hr as a starting wage with no experience. Assisting will give you some experience and possibly benefit you when you apply to hygiene, but it isn’t a necessary step. Ace your pre-requisite courses… I mean straight A’s. Hygiene is very competitive to get into so you want a 4.0 GPA on those pre-req’s.
Good luck!