Dental schools in Ile de France region

[sas7394]

Does anyone know of a Dental assisting program that I would be able to enroll in? I live in the 92 department and would really like to go back to school for dental assisting. I would prefer a fast track or certificate program if possible.
Any suggestions let me know! Thank You in advance.

[Bevdeforges]

If by "dental assisting" you mean something akin to a "dental hygienist" in the US, I'm not sure that the position exists here in France. My current dentist trained for a couple years in the US and he operates his practice solo. In fact, there doesn't seem to be the notion of "four handed dentistry" here in France that you find in the US.

You might try asking your own dentist if there is any sort of dental assistant designation here. But I haven't heard of it.
Cheers,
Bev

[frenchy]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

If by "dental assisting" you mean something akin to a "dental hygienist" in the US, I'm not sure that the position exists here in France. My current dentist trained for a couple years in the US and he operates his practice solo. In fact, there doesn't seem to be the notion of "four handed dentistry" here in France that you find in the US.

You might try asking your own dentist if there is any sort of dental assistant designation here. But I haven't heard of it.
Cheers,
Bev

The word you are looking for Bev is "Assistante Dentaire", and I'm sure that all of the Assitantes Dentaire throughout France would be devastated to hear you say that their profession does not exist.

Here is a link to a description of the profession on wikipedia: Assistante dentaire - Wikipédia


another webpage on this profession

Informetiers Information sur l'emploi, la formation et les mtiers de Basse-Normandie

Now if u live in 92, you can surely attend a training center in paris.

- EPF (Ecole précaution formation) à Paris ;
- SPES (Société pour la promotion de l'enseignement professionnel supérieur) à Paris ;
- AFPPCD (Association pour la formation et le perfectionnement du personnel des cabinets dentaires) à Paris ;
- CNQAOS (Commission nationale de qualification des assistants en odonto-stomatologie) à Gagny.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by frenchy

The word you are looking for Bev is "Assistante Dentaire", and I'm sure that all of the Assitantes Dentaire throughout France would be devastated to hear you say that their profession does not exist.

It evidently doesn't exist here in 91. Have talked to a number of fellow Americans here and the only ones who report any "assistants" working in a dentist's office have dentists in Paris. Perhaps they are more common among the specialised dentists, like the periodontists or orthodontists.

Same thing with the doctors and even with the specialists out our way - they generally practice solo, with no office staff save perhaps a telephone service when they are out of the office.
Cheers,
Bev

[frenchy]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

It evidently doesn't exist here in 91. Have talked to a number of fellow Americans here and the only ones who report any "assistants" working in a dentist's office have dentists in Paris. Perhaps they are more common among the specialised dentists, like the periodontists or orthodontists.

Same thing with the doctors and even with the specialists out our way - they generally practice solo, with no office staff save perhaps a telephone service when they are out of the office.
Cheers,
Bev

Maybe things have changed in good old Essonne but growing up in the Dourdan area, as a child and a teenager (it was not THAT long ago) all of my dentistes had "assistantes", they would keep the schedule up to date, assist on some of the procedure, etc. My dentist in Rambouillet has one, now she works 9 to 5, so he does work alone about 2 hours per day since he works 9 to 7pm.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by frenchy

Maybe things have changed in good old Essonne but growing up in the Dourdan area, as a child and a teenager (it was not THAT long ago) all of my dentistes had "assistantes", they would keep the schedule up to date, assist on some of the procedure, etc. My dentist in Rambouillet has one, now she works 9 to 5, so he does work alone about 2 hours per day since he works 9 to 7pm.

Perhaps it's just a function of being out in the countryside, then. We're not that from from Dourdan. But the only time I've seen assistantes at any doctor's office has been when seeing a doctor at a hospital or large clinic facility. The sole practitioners all seem to work solo (these days?). Have always considered that odd - but I guess it explains how the doctors survive on the relatively cheap rates the sécu pays (cause all the doctors here seem to be conventionné).
Cheers,
Bev

[sas7394]

Thanks Bevdeforges and frenchy for your insight !
From my experience here I have seen assistants in the office. I looked into some of the programs but it seems like I need to be employed by a dental office first. I have no experience in the dental field whatsoever. I would like to undergo a career field change. I have a B.S in International Studies and graphic arts. So as you can see dental has no relation to what I have previously studied. It makes me worried that IF it's true that I must be employed at a dental office before enrolling then I think my chances are very slim to getting into that particular field...

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by sas7394

Thanks Bevdeforges and frenchy for your insight !
From my experience here I have seen assistants in the office. I looked into some of the programs but it seems like I need to be employed by a dental office first. I have no experience in the dental field whatsoever. I would like to undergo a career field change. I have a B.S in International Studies and graphic arts. So as you can see dental has no relation to what I have previously studied. It makes me worried that IF it's true that I must be employed at a dental office before enrolling then I think my chances are very slim to getting into that particular field...

Actually, if you have to be employed by a dentist first, that might make things easier. Ask your own dentist - if he doesn't need an assistant, he might have a colleague who does. (One of the wonders of France is the principle of "it's not what you know but who you know" - make it work for you.)
Cheers,
Bev

[sas7394]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Actually, if you have to be employed by a dentist first, that might make things easier. Ask your own dentist - if he doesn't need an assistant, he might have a colleague who does. (One of the wonders of France is the principle of "it's not what you know but who you know" - make it work for you.)
Cheers,
Bev

True! Well I have been thinking about going in for a cleaning. Guess I can mention my interest in the field and see where it goes from there Thanks again!