anyone here from PCC, WLAC, or Cerritos yet?

^^ Whew.. I cannot believe the assumptions you've made in your incredibly naive, patronizing, condescending post.

As exp. stated...MANY DH ARE the main provider for their families..my god, where did you come from? And your assumption that the economy will pick up..how could you possibly know that? We're in this mess for a very, very long time.

And AGAIN..it's not just about the damn economy!! There are too many schools, for too few jobs. That's the simplest I can state the obvious. And I wouldn't bet ANYTHING on DDS ALWAYS needing DH.

You obviously grew up with money, and believe this to be your future. I hope for your sake that's true. But father/husband/other provider may not always be there...you may be completely on your own one day, maybe with a couple of children. I'd make darn sure that DH WILL be able to support you and yours, and that you truly have the CHOICE of working full time or part time. Good luck to YOU!!

I am sorry that you feel the need to talk to me like that. I think you misread my post when I said most DH "students" don't have to support a family while going through the program. I am not just pulling things out of nowhere and I am simply disappointed in how negative you and other VET's portray your chosen career. To be quite frank, now that I see that everyone thinks they can post nasty direct comments to people they don't know, I am wondering why it is only VET DH complaining. I don't see any new graduates on here complaining and this thread is actually for people to HELP and SUPPORT students. I have received a lot of positive mentoring from RDHs that have been working for over 25 years and are still going strong. I simply wanted to pass on some POSITIVE feedback to anyone applying to schools and becoming discouraged because they aren't getting in. Little do you know, it is still extremely competitive to get into a good program, and like with all other degrees, a job isn't lined up for you when you get out. Can you tell me of any Associate Degree programs out there that give you the OPPORTUNITY to make the kind of money that an RDH makes??? I think the real problem for a lot of VETs is that dentists would rather hire a student fresh out of a RDH program because they are willing to work for less. There are more schools, more RDHs and more dentists. Obviously more schools are going to start up because there is a demand for more programs.
On a more personal note, I think it is a shame that you would pass judgment on me or my family through a thread post. I am sorry you felt the need to be that disrespectful. I suppose that I will no longer look at this thread for advice or to give advice because to my astonishment, the VETs, who have had the opportunity to work in the field when it was at it's peak, are simply on here to discourage young adults and students from doing something that they love and are passionate about. GL to you nasty lady!!!!!!

Happy Student, The "Vet's" are realists and we are in the present situation with many years. The negativity that you choose to call it is : insight, experience and years in DH. You do have a job if you choose at your father's practice when you are done, not the case with many mislead by lying to potential students. There is an oversaturation for many years to come due to the overacceptance by schools and Dr.'s who are also funding these programs. In CA , yes the RDH's do get paid alot more than other states, but the cost of living is also higher. The many schools and NEW grads plus the older RDH's staying in to recoup money lost in the market, etc...create too many for the too few jobs = less pay, little to no benefits and little negotiating power after they spent alot of money to train in this field. It may be a passion and all some ever wanted to do, but what we try to say is what we see , esp. in the past 3+ yrs., of the office situations and the behavior by colleagues and Dr.'s. You view is that of someone NOT in a program yet, but most likely assured of employment in a good office....not the case with the majority. Read further on here and you will see ALOT of students about to graduate and those out just a few years wondering where are the jobs , pay, benefits, etc...lies = the schools and associations have their jobs, really don't care about us! In regard to being able to save now...many young individuals IMO, don't think this way and once you are out of school, how can you invest for retirement, etc. if you are unable to find enough work to support yourself monthly, live on , food, transportation, CEU's, etc? You are in a different place than the majority. Negativity and realism are different...don't you think everyone will choose their own path? I think they will, we just want them to go into the DH field with OPEN eyes to experiences that our years have shown us, including the present glut and unhealthy comp. and the little work available.

Happy Student, The "Vet's" are realists and we are in the present situation with many years. The negativity that you choose to call it is : insight, experience and years in DH. You do have a job if you choose at your father's practice when you are done, not the case with many mislead by lying to potential students. There is an oversaturation for many years to come due to the overacceptance by schools and Dr.'s who are also funding these programs. In CA , yes the RDH's do get paid alot more than other states, but the cost of living is also higher. The many schools and NEW grads plus the older RDH's staying in to recoup money lost in the market, etc...create too many for the too few jobs = less pay, little to no benefits and little negotiating power after they've spent alot of money to train in this field. It may be a passion and all some ever wanted to do, but what we try to say is what we see , esp. in the past 3+ yrs., of the office situations and the behavior by colleagues and Dr.'s. Your view is that of someone NOT in a program yet, but most likely assured of employment in a good office, not the case with the majority. Read further on here and you will see ALOT of students about to graduate and those out just a few years wondering where are the jobs , pay, benefits, etc...lies = the schools and associations have their jobs & really don't care about us! In regard to being able to save now...many young individuals IMO, don't think this way and once you are out of school, how can you invest for retirement, etc. if you are unable to find enough work to support yourself monthly, live on , food, transportation, CEU's, etc? You are in a different place than the majority. Negativity and realism are different...don't you think everyone will choose their own path? I think they will, we just want them to go into the DH field with OPEN eyes to experiences that our years have shown us, including the present glut and unhealthy comp. and the little work available.

DH Student in Los Angeles, California said: I had C's in my undergrad and I got into EVERY school I applied to. It's about your grades in the pre-req classes that the school requires, esp Chem, Anatomy, Physio, Micro (I got As in all 4). They give more points for getting better grades in those four. I also took health, which was a pre-req for some and extra points for other schools. (I also went to "RateMyProfessor" and chose the teachers that had better ratings). For Cerritos, the best thing you can do is go to their open house after you turn in your app and talk to all of the teachers (you are wearing a name tag and trust me- if you make a good impression, they WILL remember your name). Also try to volunteer for things like RAM (Remote Area Medical) or in dental offices (if you don't have experience). For WLA- it's more about the grades... Take nutrition for an extra class. It's fairly easy and they give just as many extra points for that as head and neck anatomy.... USC- be ready to impress in the interview.

Impressive! Congratulations! What schools did you apply to? Did you apply to RCC? Do you know if they have a good hygiene program. I hear to be in their first priority you need to be living within Riverside? Do you have any dental experience/work? I Plan to finish all my pre reqs by December. I am working hard to get all As in all the pre reqs including sciences and speech, english, nutrition, etc. Do you know which schools offer the best dental hygiene program?

rnick in los angeles, California said: yes, essay writing is part of the selection process and it gives the selection committee a perspective of the applicants' personality and writing skills. it could also be used as a leverage if a lot of people have identical gpa's.

yes, i worked as an rda for 5 years before i got into the program. although, most of my classmates right now have no previous dental background.

as i mentioned before, just try to cover as much ground as possible. good luck.

Hi! Are you a hygienist now? I am planning to apply next year and I hear a lot of negativity about this profession. I dont know if dental hygiene a good career choice. Is it true that it is oversaturated? Does WLAC really have a good hygiene program? How intense is their program?

Jessica love in Los Angeles, California said: do you think this is true? that 2 yrs it will recover ...

HI Jennifer. Are you currently a student at Cerritos? I am planning to aplly to Cerritos, PCC and RCC next year. I am still working on my pre reqs. Did you have dental experience when you applied in Cerritos? How do you like their program there?

sunflower in Palm Springs, California said: Hi! Are you a hygienist now? I am planning to apply next year and I hear a lot of negativity about this profession. I dont know if dental hygiene a good career choice. Is it true that it is oversaturated? Does WLAC really have a good hygiene program? How intense is their program?

Yes, it IS oversaturated. If you read the numerous threads, many from DH students and RDH's in Calif., you will see that it can be difficult to find enough work to support yourself. I know I live in the N.East, also a very saturated area, but what working RDH's are saying here is reality and it stinks, isn't fair and a costly endeavour to pursue as a career. Benefits? This is something you should definitely think about in choosing a field...RDH's tend to be on there own: so , are you saving now? Do you have money put aside for: rent, medical, retirement? Yes, the majority of us have too! Are you interested in any other fields or going for DA instead? It might give you more of an IN at being hired. I say this because, in the mix of our fields oversaturation, the more you have to put on the resume, the more likely you will be chosen for the "coveted" position. Many great RDH's are ousted for the cheaper help...and the Dr.'s are taking advantage of it. No end in sight for the current situation ; GLUT of RDH's. I love what I do, I've been in the field for 25yrs, but the lying to students by schools, online article's is business! They do not place you with a Dr. or office after you are done...you are on your own and many are finding out the hard way in 2011 and beyond that what we are saying here rings true. Are we negative, my take is we are realistic and don't want to see you be in the place many students , those recently out of school 1-3yrs. and the older RDH's have to compete for an "unhealthy" competition for work = lower wages , off hours, NO benefits, etc...please take what you need from what ALL have to say.

sunflower in Palm Springs, California said: Hi! Are you a hygienist now? I am planning to apply next year and I hear a lot of negativity about this profession. I dont know if dental hygiene a good career choice. Is it true that it is oversaturated? Does WLAC really have a good hygiene program? How intense is their program?

WLAC has the best hygiene program in the state of CA. Ask around many doctors will hire a WLAC grad over Oxnard, PCC, or other schools.