Do Dental assistance get raises?

Question

My daughter is a dental assistant student and will soon graduate. She is working free for a dentist now, for experiance, and he ask her if she had a job offer yet. She likes it there but has heard that one lady there has been there for 9 years and hasnt gotten a raise yet, do dentists do that, or do they genetally give raises as the cost of living goes up? I told her to take the job if he asks, for a good reference on a resume. it will give her good experiance for now, and I can keep her in town for a bit longer.

Answer 1

I give raises at least once a year, but I also give a bonus every month that we go over a certain goal.

SOME dentists have a base salary and then never give a raise, but they pay a bonus that keeps going up and up to keep the assistant's pay at a reasonable level.

SOME dentists are just ******* who never give raises. One guy I know said, "Raise? She wants a raise? Just go out front and grab the next unemployed girl who walks past the office and hire her for minumum wage." Needless to say, he's always looking for new staff members. Mine have been with me mlong enough that two have retired from the job!

Yeah, she could take the job and find out whether the dentist is stuck in the 60's and pays minimum and that's it or whether he has a good bonus system. As you say, at least it's an income and she can move on to a better job. You always have to state a reason for leaving one job for another and the chances are good that all the other dentists know this guy is not good to work for, so it won't look bad for your daughter.
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Answer 2

Your daughter could take the job for the work experience until something better comes along. To answer your question though, a good dentist should give a raise after the first 90 days, just like any other job. It may also depend on how quick your daughter catches on to how the dentist wants things done, the quicker the better. If someone hasen't gotten a raise in 9 yrs, then she's either making very good money or the dr just doesn't give raises. Either way, I suggest your daughter take the job. Dental personnel can obtain an "extended family" through work experience. What I mean is by working for a general dentist can give her the opportunity to meet and socialize with peers of the dental field. Through this she can choose to go into speciality dentistry, i.e. ortho, endo, os, etc., or even get a heads up on other general dentists who might be hiring.

Answer 3

Raises are given by experience and performance. Maybe this lady has had past issues or she is capped out in her job and now the only was for her to make more money is to move up if that is possible. Or maybe she is just telling stories.
She should take the job if it if offered. It will look good on her resume', and she could be offered a good start pay.