Dental experience and dental school

[Bwilber]

Hello how does working as a dental hygienist or an assistant help when it comes to dental school admissions?

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[FeralisExtremum]

It may help in that it means you have previous experience/exposure to the field of dentistry. Beyond that, I personally don't believe it gives you a significant advantage in terms of competitiveness for admission.

Are you considering becoming a dental hygienist or assistant solely for the purpose of dental school admissions?

 

[dent for the win]

Hello how does working as a dental hygienist or an assistant help when it comes to dental school admissions?

I asked three dentists what their opinion was.
2 thought it was a good way to provide clinical experience
1 thought you'll get clinical experience in school anyway so it's not crucial.

 

[Dogtreats]

I applied last cycle and didn’t get accepted. Since applying last June, I started working as a dental assistant. I know that dental office inside and out and could probably run it with my eyes closed at this point. I applied this cycle and got accepted. 100% believe I got in this year because of this. I had already graduated so I had the same GPA as the previous cycle and did not retake the DAT because I liked my first score. I think it’s worth it to get a job in an office. You seriously get so much experience.

 

[dent for the win]

I applied last cycle and didn’t get accepted. Since applying last June, I started working as a dental assistant. I know that dental office inside and out and could probably run it with my eyes closed at this point. I applied this cycle and got accepted. 100% believe I got in this year because of this. I had already graduated so I had the same GPA as the previous cycle and did not retake the DAT because I liked my first score. I think it’s worth it to get a job in an office. You seriously get so much experience.

I agree that it's an incredibly valuable experience. I've been considering whether leaving a research position to be a dental assistant would be worth it to be able to apply this cycle. Do you have any thoughts on this?

 

[Dogtreats]

I agree that it's an incredibly valuable experience. I've been considering whether leaving a research position to be a dental assistant would be worth it to be able to apply this cycle. Do you have any thoughts on this?

The current cycle or next June? I think it’s worth it, at least it was for me because I got accepted this year! It’s worth looking into at least

 

[ncide]

Definitely helped me both in getting my acceptance and my education during dental school. I know a lot more than most people in my class, and that clinical knowledge has helped both didactically and clinically. I'm not a deer caught in the headlights when I treat patients.

 

[DenTalFluoride]

Assisting experience helped with my interview. We somehow got to talking about root canals. I got a little excited and explained to him the entire procedure with paraposts, buildup, and even down to the type of material and cement for the final crown. I could tell he was impressed since he spent a few seconds writing notes afterwards. I was accepted

 

[dent for the win]

Assisting experience helped with my interview. We somehow got to talking about root canals. I got a little excited and explained to him the entire procedure with paraposts, buildup, and even down to the type of material and cement for the final crown. I could tell he was impressed since he spent a few seconds writing notes afterwards. I was accepted

May I ask how long you were assisting? I'm worried that two months of assisting by the time I send out my application will be too short to get a full scope.

 

[Bwilber]

Does the experience as dental hygienist compensate for other weaker parts of the application?

 

[Bwilber]

It may help in that it means you have previous experience/exposure to the field of dentistry. Beyond that, I personally don't believe it gives you a significant advantage in terms of competitiveness for admission.

Are you considering becoming a dental hygienist or assistant solely for the purpose of dental school admissions?

I asked three dentists what their opinion was.
2 thought it was a good way to provide clinical experience
1 thought you'll get clinical experience in school anyway so it's not crucial.

I applied last cycle and didn’t get accepted. Since applying last June, I started working as a dental assistant. I know that dental office inside and out and could probably run it with my eyes closed at this point. I applied this cycle and got accepted. 100% believe I got in this year because of this. I had already graduated so I had the same GPA as the previous cycle and did not retake the DAT because I liked my first score. I think it’s worth it to get a job in an office. You seriously get so much experience.

I agree that it's an incredibly valuable experience. I've been considering whether leaving a research position to be a dental assistant would be worth it to be able to apply this cycle. Do you have any thoughts on this?

The current cycle or next June? I think it’s worth it, at least it was for me because I got accepted this year! It’s worth looking into at least

Definitely helped me both in getting my acceptance and my education during dental school. I know a lot more than most people in my class, and that clinical knowledge has helped both didactically and clinically. I'm not a deer caught in the headlights when I treat patients.

Assisting experience helped with my interview. We somehow got to talking about root canals. I got a little excited and explained to him the entire procedure with paraposts, buildup, and even down to the type of material and cement for the final crown. I could tell he was impressed since he spent a few seconds writing notes afterwards. I was accepted

May I ask how long you were assisting? I'm worried that two months of assisting by the time I send out my application will be too short to get a full scope.

Can you all answer my question

 

[JLT223]

Can you all answer my question

lol

 

[Stanelz]

I believe it does. I applied last cycle and was rejected with no interviews. This year the only thing that changed was assisting for almost a year and I got multiple interviews and so far one acceptance. Then again I am a sample size of 1 so take that into consideration.

 

[Bwilber]

I believe it does. I applied last cycle and was rejected with no interviews. This year the only thing that changed was assisting for almost a year and I got multiple interviews and so far one acceptance. Then again I am a sample size of 1 so take that into consideration.

Were you’re stats/numbers mediocre or not so stellar?

 

[Bwilber]

I believe it does. I applied last cycle and was rejected with no interviews. This year the only thing that changed was assisting for almost a year and I got multiple interviews and so far one acceptance. Then again I am a sample size of 1 so take that into consideration.

Did you apply to the same schools both years in a row? If you don’t mind, what schools did you apply to for both rounds?

 

[2TH MVR]

Of course it will help.

 

[Stanelz]

Did you apply to the same schools both years in a row? If you don’t mind, what schools did you apply to for both rounds?

Basically the same schools, the ones in my sig that gave me an interview apparently dont care.

 

[doc toothache]

Hello how does working as a dental hygienist or an assistant help when it comes to dental school admissions?

Despite all the well wishers, working as a dh/da helps only when the remaining parts of the application are acceptable; the working experience does not help a student cope with the pre clinical courses.

 

[Monster86mg]

I applied last cycle and didn’t get accepted. Since applying last June, I started working as a dental assistant. I know that dental office inside and out and could probably run it with my eyes closed at this point. I applied this cycle and got accepted. 100% believe I got in this year because of this. I had already graduated so I had the same GPA as the previous cycle and did not retake the DAT because I liked my first score. I think it’s worth it to get a job in an office. You seriously get so much experience.

That's awesome! I'm hoping for the same. Any chance you are willing to share your DAT score and GPA?

 

[Dogtreats]

That's awesome! I'm hoping for the same. Any chance you are willing to share your DAT score and GPA?

I’m not sure my exact GPA but it was about a 3.3 and I got a 20 on the DAT!

 

[Medin2017]

I was an assistant for a year in undergrad. It helps with hand skills and some general knowledge. Also now have a mentor that I regularly speak to and would help me if I did general dentistry.

 

[Jms8ea6f]

Hello how does working as a dental hygienist or an assistant help when it comes to dental school admissions?

I am currently a hygienist and have been working doing fillin jobs since I graduated. I applied this year and did not gain an acceptance. I think working in the dental profession is great to help you in dental school. Although, having the experience does not give you a leg up against other candidates. I think it comes down to strong gpa, DAT and LOR and volunteering in the community. I have a 3.5 gpa and 19AA. Hope this helps.