Should I become a dental hygienist?

[868651]

Hi
I’m wondering if becoming a dental hygienist is a better career path than going through the (essentially an extra year) of dental school to get a DDS/DMD?

The dental hygiene programs I’ve looked at take 75 credits to complete, so that’s about three years in my estimation. Plus they average $70,000 a year in earnings.

So with community colllege being more affordable than a traditional 4 year school, the ROI should be much better when paying back student loans.

Am I wrong?

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[oralcare123]

It is incredibly boring

 

[allantois]

Dental hygiene shouldn’t cost $70k to complete.

 

[868651]

Dental hygiene shouldn’t cost $70k to complete.

No that how much they earn.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

You can but you shouldn't let debt be the reason why you don't want dentistry.

 

[mapetite]

Most hygiene programs are 2 years. It's a good job with a lot of career opportunities. You don't need a 4 year degree to get into the program (most hygiene students are straight out of high school) so it's 6 years shorter than dental school, not one. It's something to consider, and you can always go on to dental school afterwards. It all depends on what you're looking for in your career!

 

[oralcare123]

I looked into becoming a hygienist. Went to Concord College. Program is 17 months, cost 66K, which caused my jaw to drop, frankly.
The requirements for admission were so low, that I just couldn’t bring myself to fall that far
If you are still in HS it’s not a bad career, but if you’re ready to apply to DS then it’s a huge step back

 

[868651]

I looked into becoming a hygienist. Went to Concord College. Program is 17 months, cost 66K, which caused my jaw to drop, frankly.
The requirements for admission were so low, that I just couldn’t bring myself to fall that far
If you are still in HS it’s not a bad career, but if you’re ready to apply to DS then it’s a huge step back

Doesn’t dental school cost close to $150k?

 

[Life of Pablo]

Doesn’t dental school cost close to $150k?

Maybe 20 years ago 😛

 

[MLC45]

Most hygiene programs are 2 years. It's a good job with a lot of career opportunities. You don't need a 4 year degree to get into the program (most hygiene students are straight out of high school) so it's 6 years shorter than dental school, not one. It's something to consider, and you can always go on to dental school afterwards. It all depends on what you're looking for in your career!

You’re right about the hygiene program being 2 years, however it does take 1-2 years for all the prerequisites. Dental assisting doesn’t require prerequisites.

Doesn’t dental school cost close to $150k?

On average people have between 300k to 500k in loans when they graduate.

 

[Roy Williams]

On average people have between 300k to 500k in loans when they graduate.

That's not the average...

 

[MLC45]

That's not the average...

According to the dentist I’ve talk to it is. But if it’s not the usual amount what do you think it is?

 

[Roy Williams]

According to the dentist I’ve talk to it is. But if it’s not the usual amount what do you think it is?

That may be the average for students at private schools that are receiving no additional assistance (scholarship, savings, parents helping out), but not overall. You'd be surprised how many people have wealthy parents that front their entire COA that brings the average school debt amount way down. I think the average amount of loans at Penn is around $300k or something like that. Mainly because of scholarships and rich families.

This doesn't take away from the fact that those schools are way too expensive, but I believe the average debt amount for all dental students across the country is probably more in the $300k range plus or minus some. Not $500k.

 

[MLC45]

That may be the average for students at private schools that are receiving no additional assistance (scholarship, savings, parents helping out), but not overall. You'd be surprised how many people have wealthy parents that front their entire COA that brings the average school debt amount way down. I think the average amount of loans at Penn is around $300k or something like that. Mainly because of scholarships and rich families.

This doesn't take away from the fact that those schools are way too expensive, but I believe the average debt amount for all dental students across the country is probably more in the $300k range plus or minus some. Not $500k.

300K would fall in the range I said of 300K-500K. Most people are probably on the lower end, but there are many that don’t have parents flipping the bill for them. Also there are those who are raising small families and have higher living expenses.

 

[oralcare123]

Doesn’t dental school cost close to $150k?

The depth of knowledge, prestige, career flexibility, earning potential for dental hygienists and dentists are very different and price for the education should be too.
In my opinion 17 months in a college, which only requires you to graduate from HS, 65K is too much

 

[Roy Williams]

300K would fall in the range I said of 300K-500K. Most people are probably on the lower end, but there are many that don’t have parents flipping the bill for them. Also there are those who are raising small families and have higher living expenses.

Not really, it's your lower bound. Plus $200k is a huge range.

 

[2fairy]

Ive been a RDH for 10yrs and Ive enjoyed my career but now Im interested in dental school

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[laundry]

This is like comparing an Med Sure unit RN to an MD surgeon....

ROI??? Since when did people start looking at lifelong careers as monetary investments...

 

[868651]

This is like comparing an Med Sure unit RN to an MD surgeon....

ROI??? Since when did people start looking at lifelong careers as monetary investments...

Since they started charging tuition for that privilege.

 

[allantois]

I looked into becoming a hygienist. Went to Concord College. Program is 17 months, cost 66K, which caused my jaw to drop, frankly.
The requirements for admission were so low, that I just couldn’t bring myself to fall that far
If you are still in HS it’s not a bad career, but if you’re ready to apply to DS then it’s a huge step back

My local community college charges less than 10k for the whole hygiene program.

 

[laundry]

Since they started charging tuition for that privilege.

And that's what's wrong with the profession these days....people stopped doing things because they have a calling and only look at ROI or some other marker.... how bout doing it because that's your passion and you don't see yourself doing anything else???

As for ROI....has anyone ever seen a dentist in destitute? you will all do FINE....just as long as you show passion and stop looking at it as an investment...

 

[kidsaremypassion]

And that's what's wrong with the profession these days....people stopped doing things because they have a calling and only look at ROI or some other marker.... how bout doing it because that's your passion and you don't see yourself doing anything else???

As for ROI....has anyone ever seen a dentist in destitute? you will all do FINE....just as long as you show passion and stop looking at it as an investment...

Yea, I don't know about that perspective..
Student loan payments, especially when you start owing over 300k, really suck to pay every month.
It would be silly to not account for one's ROI when deciding between various fields. I'm not an advocate of people burying their heads in the sand, and taking out 400k in student loans, when their first year income will likely be 120k-140k. That's simply not a wise tradeoff..let's be real.
I don't think people push themselves through the rigors of obtaining a DDS, being licensed, etc, just to be "a little better than ok."
Passion doesn't pay the bills, but wise financial planning does.

 

[Medin2017]

Yea, I don't know about that perspective..
Student loan payments, especially when you start owing over 300k, really suck to pay every month.
It would be silly to not account for one's ROI when deciding between various fields. I'm not an advocate of people burying their heads in the sand, and taking out 400k in student loans, when their first year income will likely be 120k-140k. That's simply not a wise tradeoff..let's be real.
I don't think people push themselves through the rigors of obtaining a DDS, being licensed, etc, just to be "a little better than ok."
Passion doesn't pay the bills, but wise financial planning does.

The person is an assistant professor at one of the most expensive schools in the nation if I'm reading his/her signature correctly. Telling people to not worry about money is probably part of the gig.

Also as someone who is pretty capable and easily could have been successful in medicine or any other occupation, dentistry better be a good ROI or I will have serious "what if/grass is greener" syndrome.

 

[kidsaremypassion]

The person is an assistant professor at one of the most expensive schools in the nation if I'm reading his/her signature correctly. Telling people to not worry about money is probably part of the gig.

Also as someone who is pretty capable and easily could have been successful in medicine or any other occupation, dentistry better be a good ROI or I will have serious "what if/grass is greener" syndrome.

Exactly. There is a big difference between coming out of school owing 150k to 250k, and making 140k your first year out as a GP, and making that same income while owing 350-400k. While that income/salary will likely increase, its still a huge bummer after nearly a decade of financial sacrifice to now be giving up so much of your income towards student loans. At that age, one should also be aggressively saving for retirement, saving up for a home (you can't rent forever) etc. All of this needs to be factored in before you sign on the dotted line for student loans, or choose a particular path. If you choose to specialize, also think about the interest accumulating on your loans during residency each year, and if the increased income from your chosen specialty makes up for the increased debt due to interest accumulation.
I'm passionate about my specialty, but I'm also very much a realist. Passion wasn't enough, it also had to make financial sense.

 

[oralcare123]

And that's what's wrong with the profession these days....people stopped doing things because they have a calling and only look at ROI or some other marker.... how bout doing it because that's your passion and you don't see yourself doing anything else???

As for ROI....has anyone ever seen a dentist in destitute? you will all do FINE....just as long as you show passion and stop looking at it as an investment...

Sofa and TV is my calling, how should I provide for myself?

 

[oralcare123]

My local community college charges less than 10k for the whole hygiene program.

Like I said before, it was not challenging enough for my situation. It was the only program in my area

 

[868651]

And that's what's wrong with the profession these days....people stopped doing things because they have a calling and only look at ROI or some other marker.... how bout doing it because that's your passion and you don't see yourself doing anything else???

Well..

With dental school being close to $300,000, I’d like to first know where that money is coming from and how I can make it back.

I was a business major as an undergraduate student, (although you don’t need to be a business major to read a balance sheet) I had a part time job, vocational rehab, and student loans, so I am looking at ROI, because I’m not lucky enough to have my education paid for me for free by rich parents, friends or some “hard working” hubby somewhere.

Passion and calling are privileges for those fortunate enough to be blessed with that sort of opportunity.

As for ROI....has anyone ever seen a dentist in destitute? you will all do FINE....just as long as you show passion and stop looking at it as an investment...

Quite frankly I don’t know the COMPLETE financial situation of dentists. But these are highly educated people who are able to produce some kind of income especially if they’re owing student loans in upwards of $400,000 over the course of 30 years. Not mention living expenses (car payments, mortgage, child care expenses,etc) I do know that most dentists/dental hygienists are married, so they are lucky enough to have a two income household to pay for such expenses. Although they make a good living assuming they’re able to find and keep employment.

Just saying.

 

[Medin2017]

And that's what's wrong with the profession these days....people stopped doing things because they have a calling and only look at ROI or some other marker.... how bout doing it because that's your passion and you don't see yourself doing anything else???

As for ROI....has anyone ever seen a dentist in destitute? you will all do FINE....just as long as you show passion and stop looking at it as an investment...

Also I'd like to say I've seen dentists who hate their jobs due to financial reasons despite having relatively low debts (parents paid like half of it). One said they wish they had done med for a ROAD specialty (though I doubt he would have been successful or else he would have probably specialized in dental school). The other one was applying to dental specialties. Another dentist I shadowed hated her life and was stuck in corporate. All anecdotal but left a somewhat deep impression on me that dentistry was not all fun and games and showed me the naivety of all my peers who think they will just come out after 1-2 years and become a big boss making 2-300 on a 30 hour work week. And keep in mind, this is not an area that's known to be bad for dentists (e.g. Cali, NY).

 

[MLC45]

Also I'd like to say I've seen dentists who hate their jobs due to financial reasons despite having relatively low debts (parents paid like half of it). One said they wish they had done med for a ROAD specialty (though I doubt he would have been successful or else he would have probably specialized in dental school). The other one was applying to dental specialties. Another dentist I shadowed hated her life and was stuck in corporate. All anecdotal but left a somewhat deep impression on me that dentistry was not all fun and games and showed me the naivety of all my peers who think they will just come out after 1-2 years and become a big boss making 2-300 on a 30 hour work week. And keep in mind, this is not an area that's known to be bad for dentists (e.g. Cali, NY).

You’re right about knowing people that hate aspects of dentistry and business. I know several too. I was told by two dentist that they hated having their own business. They had more stress and had to work more hours to keep the office a float. One of those dentist closed his business and went back to corporate. I was told by another, that bought his office after 5 years in corporate, that there were months he didn’t bring home a paycheck because of a slow month. He doesn’t regret having his own business but he’s having the struggles that all new owners have.
One way or another we all have to pay our dues, and it takes time to make the big bucks. But after 5 years, thinks typically look pretty good for people. Unless your an Oral Surgeon. Those guys do good almost from the start.

 

[Ashley985]

cool

 

[Medin2017]

You’re right about knowing people that hate aspects of dentistry and business. I know several too. I was told by two dentist that they hated having their own business. They had more stress and had to work more hours to keep the office a float. One of those dentist closed his business and went back to corporate. I was told by another, that bought his office after 5 years in corporate, that there were months he didn’t bring home a paycheck because of a slow month. He doesn’t regret having his own business but he’s having the struggles that all new owners have.
One way or another we all have to pay our dues, and it takes time to make the big bucks. But after 5 years, thinks typically look pretty good for people. Unless your an Oral Surgeon. Those guys do good almost from the start.

Too many people believing they are going to be as successful as dentists from 10-20 years ago when schools were cheap, saturation was small, and corporations were a much smaller role. If I didn't have multiple scholarships along with some family aid, I definitely would have gone medicine, and I think oral surgery is one of the few ways to do much better than most doctors. Wouldn't be unhappy making 180 as a general dentist though.