Should I go into dental hygiene if not admitted to dental schools?

[DentalThoughts]

hey guys,

I have been applying to dental schools for the last three consecutive years. No luck within the past two years, and within this cycle, I have interviewed at three dental schools. However, one of them gave me the same "no thank you" letter, and I am just crossing my fingers for the two other dental schools that interviewed me.

I have been working as a dental assistant for the last two years as I have already finished my dental school prerequisites.

If I do not get into any dental school program this year, then my plan is to try out for dental hygiene.

What I'm confused about though, is that there are two types of dental hygiene program. One is a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. The other route is an associates degree usually from a community college.
What's the difference between the two degrees?

Furthermore, I'm a male, and I've heard bad things about being a male dental hygienist.

If you read the messages in this job forum, there is a lot of negative comments from male dental hygienists, in the way they're treated, and the fact that hardly any dentist wants to hire a male hygienist.

http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/dental-hygienist/Male-Hygienists/t8430

I have also heard that many DH don't get any insurance or retirement benefits.

What can I do?

Heck, even getting into dental hygiene program is not a breeze, as it's just as competitive as getting into dental school.

I'm also afraid that I will be the only male in a class full of females. The concern is that the females will form their own cliques while I hang loose to dry.

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[veronikrunk]

I also considered dental hygiene school and figured that overall, the bachelor's degree would be the better option if it came to that. I mean, you said you already completed all of the dental school pre-reqs - those upper level science classes would definitely transfer over and a bachelors degree would allow you to teach or work in healthcare settings where insurance is an option (universities, hospitals, etc.). I also feel that being a male would put you at an advantage.

BUT- as this is a forum for dental school, I am still going to encourage you to follow your dream. You've put in so much hard work! Have you ever asked for feedback from the schools that denied you? What would make your application stronger? I also applied to school while working full time as an assistant - 2010 kicked my butt and i had absolutely no social life while studying for the DAT and spending all of my money on application fees instead of booze and fun and new clothes. Man, I can't wait to finally go to a mall again.. Anyway - if this is your passion - pull yourself together and make it happen! 🙂

 

[John Durian]

What's the difference between the two degrees?

The associate is going to be the cheaper alternative of the two. In California, community college tuition is like $20/unit vs $200+/unit at a UC.

 

[psychoboylol123]

Don't do dental hygiene now. 😱 If you do dental hygiene, everything you have done in last 3 years is wasteful.
Give yourself one more last chance to apply to dental schools next cycle.🙄
You never know, maybe next year you'll get into a dental school. 😍
Good luck to you, bro !

 

[bing12]

Have you taken the DAT more than once? if so how many times? what is your gpa? What is your most recent DAT breakdown. What have you changed in your application year to year to improve it? also, what schools did you apply to?

 

[K Niner]

Have you taken the DAT more than once? if so how many times? what is your gpa? What is your most recent DAT breakdown. What have you changed in your application year to year to improve it? also, what schools did you apply to?

We need answers to these questions to give you a true opinion.

If you can complete a Master's/Post-Bac, retake the DAT and score higher, or whatever else you need to do, then I would say the dental hygiene school is not what you want to do. You will not be taking upper level science courses that dental schools like to see, and I think other routes such as the Master's/Post-Bac will give you a much greater benefit toward your application.

Since you have already done a few years of dental assisting, I think you're fine on shadowing/showing any more familiarity and knowledge of the dental field (which is the only reason I would see to do the hygiene route over the Master's/Post-Bac).

If (based on your assesment of you GPA, DAT scores, etc. - which is why we need that info) you have come to the conclusion that dental school is not something you will be able to achieve and/or is not something that you want to spend a few more years working extremely hard to achieve, then dental hygeine may be a good back-up career for you. But only if you have decided to pursue instead of dental school.

So, please answer those questions about the GPA, DAT, etc. so we can give you some advice.

 

[LittleMissFloss]

If you want to be a dentist I would reapply. As for being a male in the hygiene field, it may be an advantage. I'm sure the women would love to have a male around. I also feel like you may have a better chance of getting hired because you stand out.

If you would be happy polishing for the rest of your life, go for it. If not, I say reapply. Apply to some different schools and go for it!