Dental Hygiene to Dentist?

[RoxyG1624]

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I was wondering if anyone on here first became a Dental Hygienist and later decided they wanted to become a dentist and did.

Thanks!

 

[54807]

I was wondering if anyone on here first became a Dental Hygienist and later decided they wanted to become a dentist and did.

Thanks!

There are lots on this forum....someone has the name RDHtoDDS or something like that.

Go for it.

 

[Healthylife32]

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to figure out if I want to go to school for dental hygiene or just go to school to become a dentist.

I just finished my schooling for dental assisting to see if I enjoy it and I want to further my career in the field but I am not sure what avenue I want to take.

What are your thoughts about the two.

 

[Typical Average Student]

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to figure out if I want to go to school for dental hygiene or just go to school to become a dentist.

I just finished my schooling for dental assisting to see if I enjoy it and I want to further my career in the field but I am not sure what avenue I want to take.

What are your thoughts about the two.

If you ultimately want to become a dentist, then go to dental school.
If you want to be a hygienist, go to dental hygiene school, just know both are serious commitments and it's not easy to become a hygienist.
But if you want some real input from someone who actually was a hygienist and is now in dental school, @irishmom would be the go-to person.

 

[irishmom]

Hi @Healthylife32
I would suggest if you want to go to dental school, but are also considering becoming a hygienist to get a Bachelor's of Dental Hygiene. There are 5 people in my class who did just that. Do not waste you're time on an Associates of Dental Hygiene, because most everything does not transfer, and most schools want a Bachelor's Degree any way. Good Luck!

 

[Healthylife32]

Hi @Healthylife32
I would suggest if you want to go to dental school, but are also considering becoming a hygienist to get a Bachelor's of Dental Hygiene. There are 5 people in my class who did just that. Do not waste you're time on an Associates of Dental Hygiene, because most everything does not transfer, and most schools want a Bachelor's Degree any way. Good Luck!

Thank you for that information. I just want to pick the right path for me and stick with it. My main goal would be to become a dentist but I am worried about the money to be able to go down a journey like that would be for me.

 

[Healthylife32]

Hi @Healthylife32
I would suggest if you want to go to dental school, but are also considering becoming a hygienist to get a Bachelor's of Dental Hygiene. There are 5 people in my class who did just that. Do not waste you're time on an Associates of Dental Hygiene, because most everything does not transfer, and most schools want a Bachelor's Degree any way. Good Luck!

If you have more information I should know about either one that would be great! Thank you for your time!

 

[irishmom]

To be honest the job outlook for a hygienist is pretty dismal. Most areas are over saturated with hygienists. In the long run going straight to DDS is your best bet.

 

[D.M.D. Miller]

I also considering dental hygienist program since it's shorter and less expensive...

 

[irishmom]

This is the mistake I made. I thought, well I can work and go back to school and get my bacelors and apply to DDS school. But then when I graduated I bought a house, put the kids in private school...in short life happened. 8 years latter I figured it's now or never, and then I found out that practically none of my Hygiene classes transferred to a University. You take Allied health level math and chemistry and biology in hygiene school, not college level. I had to pretty much start all over. Took me 4 years because I tried to work part time and go to school part time...did not work...so after first year going back I quit working and finished up in 3 more years. Probably could have done it in 3 years total if I had done that from the start.

So I guess what I'm trying to tell you to just go for it now if becoming a Dentist is your end game. If being a hygienist is your end game, go for that. But don't do hygiene first if you plan on doing dental unless you do the Bachelor's of Hygiene, which is a 4 year degree in itself...but will help with hand skills.

I also considering dental hygienist program since it's shorter and less expensive...

 

[RDHreadytobeDDS]

Hey @irishmom I am a Dental Hygienist. I was a Dental Assistant for 8 years. Went to school and became a hygienist,I graduated with my bachelors in Dental Hygiene and I have been a Hygienist for 2 years now. I am currently working full time and taking my pre reqs. I have 3 more classes to go. Right now I am taking Orgo I and Physics I. Not doing well in Orgo at all. Im not sure if I should withdraw or stay in. Normally I am not a quitter, If i am doing bad in a course I try my all to end with a good grade and if I don't I take it over. Not sure what I should do at this point. Its nice to talk to other hygienist that are going down the same path. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[irishmom]

If you can withdrawal without a w, do that. A C is better than a W, a W is better than a D. Does that help?

 

[RDHreadytobeDDS]

If you can withdrawal without a w, do that. A C is better than a W, a W is better than a D. Does that help?

Yes it does, thank you!

 

[Pro-Dentite19]

We have 2 Dental Hygienists in our class, they are an amazing resource because they know a lot more about almost anything pertaining to oral health and dental anatomy then the rest of us! Also, just so you are aware becoming a hygienist is not easy by any means....they take many of the same classes as dental students....if you are going to do that much work and can get accepted go for the DDS!!

 

[480640]

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