Any dental hygienist out there with information about the program/job ect?!
Question: Any dental hygienist out there with information about the program/job ect?
Answers:
I got my degree in dental therapy, I took courses with hygiene students, and from my experience I started my junior year in college failing miserably with a GPA of 1.29, I started taking dental courses and I got my GPA up significantly and got accepted into a dental assisting program which was very intense, I went to a university to study hygiene and after to be a dentist, I ended up taking something called dental therapy, we won't get into what it is bc I want to answer your question. The classes I took were very challenging, you have to really understand the body and a lot of Science classes are required as a prereq to get into any hygiene program. You can get a 2 year degree, or a 4 year and a 4 year is far more beneficial. Being a dental therapist I also have the option to be hygienist with limited abilities, but if I compared it to assisting school wise it was just as tough, you have to know so much in so little time and then they push you out to your internships and do it! haha. Generally starting salary depends upon whether you're in a private practice or group practice, also if you got a 4 year degree or a 2 year. About $45,000 starting for a hygienist with a 4 year degree. Be prepared to work your living butt off, have no social life, etc because you won't do well if you don't study all the time. The program I was in also had a tougher grading scale about 20% more difficult that gen ed courses. 79% was failing, 80% was passing. it was really hard to get A's because 93% was a B etc. If you want it bad enough you'll do it!
LDAEF (Licensed Dental Assistant with Expanded Functions)
B.S. Dental Therapy
Current DDS student