Dental Hygiene school

You dont't have to be in dental assistant program in order to be a DH. DH schools just want to see if you have some experience in a dental office before, and some don't even look care, just your prereqs courses... It depends on you if you want to be an assistant first because it's always helpful to know how it is like in a dental office, but again I think it's not neccessary.

Diana in Miami, Florida said: is there any bad things about dental hygiene?

The employment situation at this point in time is not the best. What I mean is , to train it is VERY expensive and right now many Dr.'s have the upperhand = many resumes/candidates to choose from. Many are finding that the recession is hitting our field, but also there are MANY new schools and new grad's + older R.D.H.'s continuing to practice most likely because of loss of IRA, and 401-K savings. Dental School would be more lucrative at this point in time.

Victor in Los Angeles, California said: i have a question?

i got accepted into the dental assit program at school but i really wanna be a hygenist...my counselor said that i dont need to do the program to be a hygenist..is that true? should i do the program or should i just focus on the prereqs?? someone help me please

See my response to Diana in Miami.....LOTS of R.D.H.'s out there right now. Empoyment in Dental Hygiene is very competitive right now = TOO MANY SCHOOLS = DR.'S HAVE MANY RESUMES/CANDIDATES TO CHOOSE FROM. Check out the market in Calif. if that's where you are looking to ultimately work after college. Speak with R.D.H.'s that are working F.T., P.T. and see what you'll need to gain employment in this field. CA may have a better job situation, but many states R.D.H.'s are feeling the pinch. I'm not trying to be negative...just stating how it is for many in this field right now , not to say it won't be better in 7 or so yrs. Read on to answers and discussions on other Blogs. Good luck in your career path.

Victor in Los Angeles, California said: i have a question?

i got accepted into the dental assit program at school but i really wanna be a hygenist...my counselor said that i dont need to do the program to be a hygenist..is that true? should i do the program or should i just focus on the prereqs?? someone help me please

Hello Victor:
Your counselor is correct. Doing a dental assisting program will not give you any credits towards a hygiene degree. If you are dead set on hygiene, I would focus on the pre-reqs required for the hygiene program.
Although.......having dental assisting certification may be an advantage when applying to a hygiene program, especially if you have any actual experience in assisting. Actual experience in the dental field may give you an advantage, or a leg up, so to speak.
If you decide to do an assisting program first, it may just take you a little longer to get your hygiene degree because none of those classes will be accepted as credit towards a hygiene degree. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Im in high school and im considering becoming a dental hygienist but my mother wants me to attend a 4 year and my guidence counselors and teachers and family memebers said it only requires a 2 yr degree im undecided where to go and im totally lost can someone please give me there advise....

Dental Hygiene school can be 2-4 years or more in length. It all depends on pre-requisites and if you apply for a bachelors program or an associates. I myself completed 2 years undergrad at an entirely different school then successfully transfered to a hygiene school getting in on my first attempt. I graduated in 2008 with an Associates degree in science. ALOT of schools will look at your transcript and determine your eligibility on a point system (ex: 3 points for an A in science related classes for high school and college level courses, 2 points for a B, 1 for a C) so going to a school for a few years prior will only help your chances of getting in. There is no difference in pay for hygienists with a bachelors degree or an associates degree, but haivng a bachelors degree opens up other opportunites, such as sales, insurance, teaching (which may be a masters now), etc. What I am doing is an online degree completion program which I intend to complete in 2-3 semesters so I will ultimately have a bachelors degree in DH.

Jenny in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: Dental Hygiene school can be 2-4 years or more in length. It all depends on pre-requisites and if you apply for a bachelors program or an associates. I myself completed 2 years undergrad at an entirely different school then successfully transfered to a hygiene school getting in on my first attempt. I graduated in 2008 with an Associates degree in science. ALOT of schools will look at your transcript and determine your eligibility on a point system (ex: 3 points for an A in science related classes for high school and college level courses, 2 points for a B, 1 for a C) so going to a school for a few years prior will only help your chances of getting in. There is no difference in pay for hygienists with a bachelors degree or an associates degree, but haivng a bachelors degree opens up other opportunites, such as sales, insurance, teaching (which may be a masters now), etc. What I am doing is an online degree completion program which I intend to complete in 2-3 semesters so I will ultimately have a bachelors degree in DH.

This is what I plan to do, what school are you going to (doing online) for this?