Let me floss you!
I dropped out of community college a couple years ago and I’ve been working in retail, but I really think I want to be a dental hygienist. I looked it up and there is a site that says it’s best to get an associates degree in dental health. But how many years does it take from the beginning of school, and do you think there are a lot of jobs open right now? Thanks in advance.
I was a Dental Hygiene Student let me tell you a few things
now this was my experience... the school I went to and boy do I wish I had gone somewhere else like Forsyth in Boston, but anyway
IT is TOUGH, the instructors did everything they could to make sure you failed, being the first male in the programs history, and not one to put up with anyone's crap...I was constantly arguing with the instructors .. one would tell me to hold the instrument one way while two others would come in and say your doing it all wrong, do it like this. I asked the instructors to come to the room and and get a consensus together on the right way cause I was just told three different ways and NONE of them was right. I had two 37 year old married woman with children mind you break down and cry their eyes out...that is how bad it can be. (unless things have changed, but what I can tell things are even tougher)
Okay... so I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you get all of these courses out of the way FIRST
Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with a Lab
Chemistry with a Lab
Microbiology with a Lab (do this in the summer)
English courses
Math Courses
History and business courses
and MAKE SURE that where ever you take these courses they are transferable to the program
I really can not STRESS the above enough
By getting those courses out of the way, especially the Microbiology, Chemistry and A&P you will save yourself a lot of stress. Its also important to make sure the instructor is GOOD at what they do, ...I had some REAL HARD ASS instructors
The books...now I am going back to 1986 so they were expensive, One book cost me $265 Also get yourself a mentor, outside of the class...like a real life person working the field that can HELP YOU with questions
Here in the north east the market is FLOODED with Dental Hygienists and there are no jobs for them... if they are there working 1 day here and 1 day there and 1 day at another place...I don't know where you live but check the market and ask your own dental hygienist what the job market is like.
the program is pretty competitive, depending on if you go to a state college or one of those Technical Schools.
Oh and just to tell you how BAD my instructors were, the first day of class they said you chose the right school, because all those other places like Forsyth in Boston will NEVER EVER teach you what we will teach you here and their students NEVER meet the quality standards. (BOOM that should of been a RED light right there)
What ever you decide to do...good luck to you!
Look elsewhere this field is saturated and limited. Become a nurse thank me later.
I would say look elsewhere. The field is saturated, salaries either remain same or declining. Go to nursing more opportunities. Believe me.
Well I am very proud of you for seeing that there are plenty of teeth that need help and . you see many more options to go have right now. Go do what ever makes you happy in life so many options to choose from. You can do this.
Thank you kaylee.... Give me a call 205 - 767-0131
I'm a dental hygienist Kaylee. It is a wonderful profession. You have many choices in this profession. You may teach, be a clinican, be in sales, be a researcher, be an administrator and etc. I wish you much success Vermell
Best way, is to search like you already are a certified dental hygienist. You'll be able to see all the jobs available in your area now! Associate degree takes 2 years. Dental hygienist school is 12 - 18 months.
You can always ask those same questions on the internet, but ask about it in the state you live in.
Kaylee, first, I really THINK i want to be a hygienist, does not sound sure enough to drop almost 2 years of your life, and school will take at least 18 months, and a lot of coin on a this type of whym, unless you just worded it wrong! Girl if this IS what you want, there are opportunities waiting for you when ya complete your studies, and from whom I know, YOU WILL REALLY ENJOY YOUR WORK! that is more important than anything in life, as far as jobs goes. like me if you love your job, you will not have to WORK a day in your life!! Good Luck!
That's right. Many good community colleges have these degrees available 2 yrs and an associate will get you an internship or maybe even hired on. This is currently one of the fastest growing fields along with nursing or course. Good pay as well. Time is the big commitment you make....good luck!