Dental Hygienist

[MotivatedToWin]

I shadowed two doctors that graduated from Tufts and they told me that in Massachusetts, students can get their dental hygiene license and work per diem during years 3 and 4 to save some money and pay off loans. I'm looking into BU and this would be a great pro if it were true. Does anyone know more information about this?

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[shootingstar7]

I imagine that doing this would delay applying to dental school and also therefore delay receiving a dentists income.

 

[NDPitch]

I think the OP was saying that there is a way to get a hygiene license while in DS, and work during your clinical years for actual income on the side doing per diem work. I've never heard of such a thing. Perhaps this only applies to people that are already hygienists? Also, how much time would you really have to work a meaningful amount of time during years 3 and 4 to have an effect on loan payback?

 

[DentalDiva RDH]

OP you've heard correctly. I know of Massachusetts d-schools, BU and Tufts, allowing this in 3rd/4th year, not sure of other schools. Students can take the Dental Hygiene board exams. I hardly imagine you would have time to be making money on the side. It sounds great in theory, but when you're in the thick of it, EHH not so much. I too have thought of maybe doing this, working while in school, but it seems a little unrealistic. In 3rd and 4th year you'll be practicing mostly all week long, and even though it is assumed the actual courses taken aren't as rough as year 1 and 2, and you'll have more "free time", you still have to allot time for them as well. I'll be the first to tell you, practicing is exhausting enough, especially in the beginning of clinical training, never mind having to be a dental hygienist on the weekends, after a week of d-school!

 

[shootingstar7]

Im sorry I totally misunderstood!

 

[Jbrowndds]

OP you've heard correctly. I know of Massachusetts d-schools, BU and Tufts, allowing this in 3rd/4th year, not sure of other schools. Students can take the Dental Hygiene board exams. I hardly imagine you would have time to be making money on the side. It sounds great in theory, but when you're in the thick of it, EHH not so much. I too have thought of maybe doing this, working while in school, but it seems a little unrealistic. In 3rd and 4th year you'll be practicing mostly all week long, and even though it is assumed the actual courses taken aren't as rough as year 1 and 2, and you'll have more "free time", you still have to allot time for them as well. I'll be the first to tell you, practicing is exhausting enough, especially in the beginning of clinical training, never mind having to be a dental hygienist on the weekends, after a week of d-school!

I tried googling but I couldn't find the answer but does texas allow this?

 

[DentalDiva RDH]

I tried googling but I couldn't find the answer but does texas allow this?

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. I believe for the Texas D/DH schools they take the SBDE, I did not take that exam. Along with the difference in regional examinations, each individual state has it's own practicing rules and regulations. Within these rules and regulations you can find your answer, or you can call the schools in Texas and ask, that would probably be easiest, considering what you may have to sift through to find your answer, it can get confusing if you're unfamiliar.