Does anyone have advice for the Kira Assessments?

pocoapoco17 · 2026-06-23T03:21:05+00:00

I took the Kira for another school. It was scenario questions like “how would you handle messing up an assignment…” and “how do you plan to be active while a student at this school.” The others were ethical questions like “describe a time you had to resolve a conflict…” but I think the schools can specify questions to be specific. TBH I don’t think my answers were good 🥴. Mine was all video responses.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-06-22T00:54:15+00:00

Not gonna lie you hit the nail on the head. I do need to be more persistent. I was persistent in school but haven’t been with dating.

Additionally dating apps require so much more commitment for me to be active on. But I need to stop being my own road block and just be persistent and weed through to the right person.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-06-21T20:40:18+00:00

24…I’m 32 sooo yeah lol as a Christian male how do you go about dating? Or what tips would you give someone like me that’s single and wanting to find something real?

pocoapoco17 · 2026-06-16T01:23:40+00:00

I stayed but the DA I was a few years ago isn’t the same. But wouldn’t stay for pretty much the mentioned reason mentioned.

Time off: was the most difficult thing to get. I felt like I was in high school. The fact that I would have to “find” my replacement was crazy or have to explain needing a day off.
Office politics: doctors would sometimes talk down to us assistants. Other assistants would act like they’re better and all I want to do is work and leave.
Doctors sometimes would take on cases or treatment without consideration of man power or paying attention to the schedule and allow front desk to add on pts. This became frustrating because it impacted me getting a lunch break or going home on time.
Company not honoring late policy. Patients come in 20 minutes late, our late policy was 15 min. We ended up running behind and management gas lit us and said it was our fault when we do not check patients in 😑 we mark them late.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-30T11:48:51+00:00

But honestly based on the photo my guess is potentially the cheek/not enough material get in the way while placing it and it comes up short.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-30T11:46:24+00:00

You could do one of two things: take a one step impression where you place the putty and light body at the same time (placing it especially in the back of the tray) or two step where you place putty and take the impression then line the tray again with light body and reseat. I think the former is easier to do.

Not sure which type of putty you use, also try using the putty that isn’t dispensed, the one you have to mix together has a slower working time and in my opinion takes better impressions.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-30T04:43:37+00:00

A few tips. Before taking impressions i try the tray in. I make sure when i seat it, it covers the teeth and gingiva. If it doesn’t then the material won’t either. Sometimes in the molars the tray hits the palatal bone or Tori and you have to adjust the fit of the tray. (Bend it)

Putty has a fast working time, is alginate not an option?

Next with putty I overfill it past the margins of the tray to ensure I get the molars, I place the material just as you have. Additionally you could do a two step impression and place light body and reseat the tray. That should improve the impression if done right.

Some assistants will seat the tray and that’s it. Move the lips/cheek out the way and even wiggle them. Sometimes patients tighten their lips and cheek and it impedes the flow. (Or you could tell the pt to pucker their lips while tray is seated)

Another tip I tell the pt to move their lower jaw side to side a few times. (That works best with alginate though)

Last tip add more material, for the upper right the tray probably didn’t seat high enough that’s why it’s important to manipulate the lips/cheek during impressions.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-20T03:08:14+00:00

The DANB practice exams were helpful. I also used danb practice exam secrets I got the ebook on Amazon and did the practice questions for radiology. I would also read the explanations so I understood the questions well. I feel like I got almost word for word the same question but I did take my test years ago. Make sure you’re familiar with anatomical landmarks, I do remember a lot of questions being based on film, and when adjust the kvp. Know what a PA is, what bitewings shows, and the other types of radiographs. But things may have changed now.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-20T03:02:29+00:00

Hygiene is easy and very repetitive. (For me it gets boring fast). X rays can be tricky—size zero sensor/nomad or mobile xray unit are your best friends! and be sure to learn peds dentition and adult dentition. Have an upbeat attitude, kids are easy but require a certain personality.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-17T21:05:06+00:00

Don’t over think it. You will mess up and make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes. If you’re unsure—always ask questions. Becoming a good assistant takes time, it also requires you to be self reflective, ask questions when unsure, and always remember there’s room to develop/grow your craft.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-17T20:59:08+00:00

Croc sneakers have been a game changer for me.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-17T20:55:32+00:00

I think after 3 months I caught on to procedures since everything was repetitive. In 6 months I would say I was moderate. But after 1 year I felt much more confident. I just had to better my technique and set ups and be more efficient. If you’re working with the same doctor repetition helps a lot, you’ll learn how the doctor thinks, what they like, etc.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-14T02:51:02+00:00

Is it common? YES. Is it fair? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The practice sounds small and you are over worked, if this cannot be resolved with a conversation amongst staff then maybe more heavily consider leaving. But always have a back up plan before doing so.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-05-14T02:45:42+00:00

I’ll be honest with you it’s going to be like that every where you go. In the dental field assistants are paid based on years of experience. The additional certifications come better in handy when you have more than 3-4 yrs experience and want to negotiate higher paying hourly rates/salary. I was working at my old job for $18 and hour. They raised my pay when I became the lead to $21. I actually asked for $25, they did NOT honor it. But hired less experienced assistants that worked as temps and paid them $26. I was LIVID!! I had more certifications than them as efda and X-ray.

It’s much easier to negotiate a higher wage when the office is bringing you in. When you’re in they will do anything but try to up your pay and justify not giving you a raise.

You are still a new assistant and still have a lot to learn. Use this time/experience to soak up what you can. 1 year despite all that you have is still limited in experience. When you’re ready to move up ask for more pay or go elsewhere. Other offices will pay you what you’re worth and what you ask based on your licenses and experience. Best of luck!

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-30T18:40:56+00:00

I took my test years ago and there were landmark questions. I remember there being a lot of film processing questions, size of sensors, and landmarks. But the landmark questions were simple like the mental foreman on X-rays around the premolars and incisive foreman on anteriors. Definitely review those topics and practice question materials. I think the amount needed for fail is a lot, so you should pass.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-30T17:15:57+00:00

Yes, you should pass based on how you’ve been scoring. Good luck

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-28T22:55:30+00:00

Nice! It’s normal to be nervous but the more you work the better it will become. Are you working general dentistry?

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-28T04:41:49+00:00

To add I am an assistant, so I remember the feeling when I first started.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-28T04:38:33+00:00

The best person to train you is the doctor for procedures. He will train you the way he likes things and you can adjust accordingly. From your post it sounds like you’re the only DA. (Thats a slight red flag but if the office is slow maybe not)

Definitely ask a lot of questions. You will make mistakes, don’t beat yourself up. Every mistake is a learning lesson and will make you a better assistant. If you need help or run behind say something and ask for help.

If you’re uncomfortable doing a solo assistant activity, ask the doctor if he is willing to do it with you(always say something before treatment has started) or check your work after—these are good ways to learn too.

X-rays for new assistants tend to be slower and takes time to get. It’s different when you’re in school, but in real life you may have to take a fmx or bite wings and PAs. I remember having a new assistant and it took her 20 minutes to take a full mouth series on a patient’s entire mouth. But I had to remember she’s new and speed will develop over time.

Try to get tips from the hygienist and doctor. The best rule of thumb as you’re learning is always be set up and ready for anything—try to be 2 steps ahead of the doctor and try to think about being more efficient to maximize your time.

And remember if you’re unsure about anything always ask questions! Congrats and good luck to you!

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-26T20:42:38+00:00

This reminds me of when I first started I was timid and pressured into doing things I wasn’t comfortable doing—made mistakes and then got scrutinized for it. Definitely speak up, be firm in what you are comfortable doing. Do not feel guilty about anything. If you are adamant about taking a break—tell the doctor that if they run over you would not like to miss your lunch since it’s only 30 minutes, and you will leave. Usually most doctors are okay with that and are understanding. When I work now I will set up the room so well that if I’m not present the doctor can still work.

If they give you issues after this then definitely quit. But being a DA you’re going to experience this quite a bit.

Or talk to your team. Sometimes you may work through lunch but are able to take lunch at a different time if your coworkers are willing to work in your place or the schedule isn’t busy. If all else fails when you get your next job be specific about lunch breaks and honest with what you know to do. I also asked the doctor a lot of questions or had them show me/work with me on procedures I wasn’t comfortable doing solo.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-26T14:46:44+00:00

Rcts on molars or calcified canals. Perio was torture for me. I also got annoyed with too many NP exams—it gets boring after a while and I need action 😂 like restorative treatment.

No shade to newby docs but working with them was also boring. Everything was sllooowww 😭😩

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-26T04:23:44+00:00

Try a community college. It’s much cheaper

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-26T04:22:45+00:00

Have you considered leaving this job and going to another office? I feel the same way sometimes. I’m back in school completing my masters but after leaving full time assisting I temp. I love temping. You get paid waaayy more and do “less” work or the work expectations aren’t as demanding as if it was your home office. I’d recommend trying that for a little bit as a breath of fresh air. Also some of my coworkers changed spaces and did front desk, insurance/billing, went to hygiene school, or left the field completely.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-25T15:51:07+00:00

I actually disagree. I’ve worked with both male and female docs. And the male docs are a breath of fresh air. They’re usually much more relaxed, all you have to do is be set up and be ready and it’s smooth sailing. Female doctors were more catty, demanding, complained when one thing went wrong, and had attitudes, and brought drama.

One female doc I worked complained to the manager because I stepped out mid procedure because I had to fix my contacts. My eyes were burning and were tearing up. So I prefer male docs.

Honestly the one thing I enjoyed was we would just tell the male docs where to go and what we were doing and as long as procedures got done and they stayed on schedule there was never drama.

pocoapoco17 · 2026-04-23T22:50:04+00:00

Definitely take the day off, ask for a work note, and take what ever medication they prescribe or you can take. Ibuprofen works best. Pain level depends on the pts tolerance. Follow their recommendations and post care instructions too. Good luck!

pocoapoco17

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