Should i go to Dental Hygiene school or Dental school?

Im about to get my associates in biology. I dont know if i should transfer to a hygiene school and became a dental hygienist or go for my bachelours for biology and eventually to DENTAL SCHOOL. The disadvantages of dental hygiene: Work is mostly Partime, dont get benefits, work in different locations. i Really dont know what to do... has anybody had this tough choice? Help me out... any advice? I really love the dental field but i dont know what i should go for.

Should i go to Dental Hygiene school or Dental school?
This all depends on what you like to do, the lifestyle you want, and what you are good at. Dental hygienist is not a bad field. You will not have to worry about opening your own practice, the cost of eduction is much cheaper than becoming a dentist. (Total cost of most dental school is $150,000 to $200,000 for four years). Dental hygienist program will take either between 2-3 years. A dentist eduction will require you to have a bachelor degree, then 4 more years of dental school. Big difference between a dental hygienist and a dentist is the kind of work you will get to do. Dentist will get to do much more exciting things in dentistry. However, getting into dental is not easy. First, you got to have the GPA and DAT score. But being book-smart isn't enough. You will need to have great dexterity skill and perceptual ability (way more than a dental hygienist). The DAT score will contain a portion called PAT (perceptual ability test). The four years of dental school is challenging, but if you love it, then you will have fun! After dental school, if you decide to open your own dental office, you will need to be a business-kind of person. Although you can work for another dentist, this is sometime limited. Basically, it all comes down to way you really like to do.


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During my time as a pre-dental student, I job shadow many dental office (almost about 15 offices) to give me an idea what its like to be a dentist. These experiences really help me make my decision. Several dentists have told me to be a dental hygienist. My objection to that was that i loved dentistry too much to stop there. I have always been very good with my hands. My PAT score is in the top 95% of the national score (actually is almost near perfect). I knew I had what it takes to be a dentist. During my undergraduate years, I ran a business along the side while attending school full-time. Although my GPA was relatively average, I knew that I could run a dental office if given the chance. If you're into dentistry because of money, stable job, helping others...that's just not enough to be a dentist. Hand-eyes coordination is a must, perceptual ability is essential, and you will need some business aspect.


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Overall, becoming a dentist will demand a lot of more from you than becoming a dental hygienist. However, I would not say that dental hygienist do not have a reputation. Lots of dental hygienist, who loved dentistry will get a master in public health or education, which allow them to take on various leadership position in dentistry. I know several dental hygienist with a master degree that ran many of the county and state public health program, such as water-fluoridation or better smile for the public. There's a lot of you can do with dental hygiene degree.


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I hope this help and best of luck to you.
Reply:Although it involves a larger amount of work, I would say go for you bachelors, and then Dental School. Mainly because you can do a lot more with a bachelors degree in biology then you can with an associates. Now is the time to do it. If you go to become a dental hygenist and then later you want to move up, it may not be suited to fit in your schedule. You dont sound happy with the partime and no benefits, so I would recomend Dental School. Becoming a dentist would provide you with a much larger pay, more hours, and a lot more recognition. But mostly, do what your heart tells you, even if it involves extra work!
Reply:firstly I would appreciate your passion for dentistry... I feel its better rather best to go in for a batchelors in the dental school... hygienist do gud work... still that reputation as a DOCTOR can be achieved through a batchelors degree... what a great feel to be called as a DOCTOR indeed... dentistry even better than MBBS... we directly enter speciality... if u wanna earn much, yes dentistry is one of the most productive way of earning by exhibiting our technical skills... it all lies in your HANDWORK + HARDWORK to gain victory in dentistry... thereafter you can proceed with masters in out of over more than 15 dental specialities... there are options even for pursuing super speciality trainings... you can even go about doing a lot of research work.... its again a service oriented job... unlike hygienist who wont have that a good reputation doctors do really have a name value.... hope to see you as a Dentist like me soon... :)

Broken Teeth