Need advice in career switch!!

[Newbie85]

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Hi everyone,

I am new to the board and wanted to know if anyone is in the same boat or can share some encouraging advice.

I graduated with a BA in Biology with a 3.0 GPA and have bene working since in the Pharmaceutical industry. I have always wanted to do dentistry but life/family situations always got the best of me. Also, after working for about ~5 years I realized money isn't easy to come by.

I am planning on going back to school and have tried to think of every option available, any certificate courses, MBA, master program and none seem to appeal me. I always wanted a career however my current field of choice isn't very promising. I have decided to first try out looking into Dental Hygiene programs (I figured it would be the best way for me to see if I want to further go do and do a DMD).

In respect to others, I do not want to end up having ~300K in debt and don't know if going back to school for four years is really for me (who knows once I start I might really want to) As of now, I have looked into a few Dental Hygiene programs (NYU has an AAS). Though, with my BA i feel I would have to retake alot of Pre-Reqs (I plan to take Human Anatomy 1 & 2 at a community college).

Any advice on if this is the smart way to enter dentistry? Or if anyone knows or has experience going this route, which programs are best in the NY/NJ area?

Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

 

[doc toothache]

I graduated with a BA in Biology with a 3.0 GPA and have bene working since in the Pharmaceutical industry. I have always wanted to do dentistry but life/family situations always got the best of me. Also, after working for about ~5 years I realized money isn't easy to come by. I am planning on going back to school and have tried to think of every option available, any certificate courses, MBA, master program and none seem to appeal me. I always wanted a career however my current field of choice isn't very promising. I have decided to first try out looking into Dental Hygiene programs (I figured it would be the best way for me to see if I want to further go do and do a DMD).

In respect to others, I do not want to end up having ~300K in debt and don't know if going back to school for four years is really for me (who knows once I start I might really want to) As of now, I have looked into a few Dental Hygiene programs (NYU has an AAS). Though, with my BA i feel I would have to retake alot of Pre-Reqs (I plan to take Human Anatomy 1 & 2 at a community college).

You appear to be considering dentistry for the wrong reasons. Shadowing should be more than enough to decide whether dentistry is for you. Your debt concern should be a consideration, but unlike pharmaceutical products, which can be purchased for less outside of the US, no such option is available for dental education.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=952937
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=938759
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=942453
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=937196

 

[Newbie85]

doc toothache,

Thanks for the reply..

I had shawdowed a dentist back in my undergrad years and actually worked at a dental office for 1 ~ year and I have always wanted to go into dentistry as an undergrad though after starting to work and a few family situations, I was responsible for being the main source of income.

Nonetheless, I have to come to a point where I would like to pursue a career and I would like to do something that I am passionate about. I am comfortable working where I am although it is not very challenging and promising as a career choice.

In terms of debt, I don't mind putting in the effort and money into my education as long as there is a possibility for me to get into a school if I were to be going this route. I can also take my DATs but being out of school for so long I would like to first start of practicing as a Dental Hygiene to see how much further I can go.

My initial question was if considering Dental Hygiene is a good option with respect to my BA degree and if doing so is the best way. If anyone else has gone this route, did you have to do all 2 years of your AAS in dental hygiene and did you have luck transferring all your undergrad credits?

Thanks!

 

[aqz]

This is what I think...go chase after a dental education now.

If you really want to become a dentist, why be sidetracked by something else? It may be related, but it will more or less resemble your pharmaceutical job, one that isn't completely fulfilling.

Not to come across as rude, but I think you're at the age where you shouldn't waste anymore time dwelling upon these things. Unless working as a DH will significantly improve your chances of getting into dental school in the case that your DAT and post-bac GPA don't turn out to be that high, I think you should just focus on getting in. You've already shadowed a dentist, you've even worked at a dental office for a year, so you know that this is what you want.

Pardon me if working as a DH first has any other implications that I've missed out on. Also take what I say with a grain of salt, I daresay I have less life experience than you.

 

[Newbie85]

Thanks aqz

I am going to speak to an advisor next week at the dental school to see what I will need to improve my application and go from there...

Good luck to you!

 

[mdb6476]

There are community colleges in NY state that offer dental hygiene degrees for much less if you are worried about debt.