Dental Hygiene in Texas

I live in the Dallas area and I am currently enrolled in a Dental Assistant program at a CODA school. I want to return to school in the Fall to become a DH. What is the job market like, currently? Do you believe that it's worth the $50,000 to become a DH? What are your current hourly wages and benefits? How long did it take you to find a job, after completion of your training?

I have been a RDH since 1982. I would not spend 50,000 ! Go into another allied health field.

No don't go into hygiene !!

Do not go into any area of dentistry! dont assist dont do hygiene! ive been in profession as both assistant then RDH. The dentist are running sweat shops!

stay away from the dental profession! unless you like and want to work in sweat shops .....go for it.

I live in Dallas also and am thinking about going to Concorde to become a DH. The tuition is $50,000 and I just think it's crazy!! All the schools I checked out are about the same amount. BUT if the career is worth it I would do it.. I've been weighing the pros and cons for a while. I'm a single mom and am trying to figure out what's best for my daughter and myself. Unfortunatly I am so confused about what that is exactly.
I've seen replies from current hygienists that say they love their job but warning other not to become a DH...what does that even mean? What's so bad about the field?

atoon5225 in Mesquite, Texas said: I live in Dallas also and am thinking about going to Concorde to become a DH. The tuition is $50,000 and I just think it's crazy!! All the schools I checked out are about the same amount. BUT if the career is worth it I would do it.. I've been weighing the pros and cons for a while. I'm a single mom and am trying to figure out what's best for my daughter and myself. Unfortunatly I am so confused about what that is exactly.
I've seen replies from current hygienists that say they love their job but warning other not to become a DH...what does that even mean? What's so bad about the field?

Go into another health profession...you as a single mother need more stability than what this profession can offer you in the state of Texas.

im a RDH love my job. truly feel i am one of the bet hygienist out there. but what i dont love is the lack of respect no benefits dentists r to cheap and clearly make you aware how disposable you r. this is true with the magnitude of overpopulation of rdh. go into a secure more loyal profession that will offer benefits esp. retirment and health.

that's what i don't understand. if they love it so much, and the money is worth it, then why don't they want us to go into the field?

I've heard that a lot of dentists are a$$holes, but I don't care about that. You can always find one who isn't. even if it takes a while. My current DA instructor is a DDS, but he's cool as hell.

idk. I love teeth, and that's all that matters. I'm looking into being an Ortho Assistant. I'm not big on young children in dentistry, but adults are a little too old and set in their ways to actually get them to take your advice on caring for their teeth. At least, with adolescents, you can talk to them about it, and they'll probably use it down the road.

OP in Mesquite, Texas said: that's what i don't understand. if they love it so much, and the money is worth it, then why don't they want us to go into the field?

I've heard that a lot of dentists are a$$holes, but I don't care about that. You can always find one who isn't. even if it takes a while. My current DA instructor is a DDS, but he's cool as hell.

idk. I love teeth, and that's all that matters. I'm looking into being an Ortho Assistant. I'm not big on young children in dentistry, but adults are a little too old and set in their ways to actually get them to take your advice on caring for their teeth. At least, with adolescents, you can talk to them about it, and they'll probably use it down the road.

.

Remember that school is different than the real world dentistry. It doesnt matter how "cool" the dentist is training you...after your clinicals then the buisness side of dentistry kicks in. Be ready! Your smart to go into the ortho side of dentistry but you will deal with all ages of patients your not going to have a pick of your patients. You will educate parents who have to help there children due to different circumstances of the individual patient(s)..example developmental delayed pts to pt who are physically handicapp etc etc.

OP in Mesquite, Texas said: that's what i don't understand. if they love it so much, and the money is worth it, then why don't they want us to go into the field?

I've heard that a lot of dentists are a$$holes, but I don't care about that. You can always find one who isn't. even if it takes a while. My current DA instructor is a DDS, but he's cool as hell.

idk. I love teeth, and that's all that matters. I'm looking into being an Ortho Assistant. I'm not big on young children in dentistry, but adults are a little too old and set in their ways to actually get them to take your advice on caring for their teeth. At least, with adolescents, you can talk to them about it, and they'll probably use it down the road.

.

Remember that school is different than the real world dentistry. It doesnt matter how "cool" the dentist is training you...after your clinicals then the buisness side of dentistry kicks in. Be ready! Your smart to go into the ortho side of dentistry but you will deal with all ages of patients AND your not going to have a pick of your patients. You will educate parents who have to help there children due to different circumstances of the individual patient(s)..example developmental delayed pts to pt who are physically handicapp etc etc.

Smiling Upon U in Beeville, Texas said: Go into another health profession...you as a single mother need more stability than what this profession can offer you in the state of Texas.

THANK YOU for your input!