Thinking about dental school?

I'm 28 and have a BS in biology but still need a couple more chemistry classes for prerequisites. If I apply I won't get in this year, i'd have to wait until next year when I am 29. Is it way too late to apply to dental school? Should I just go into dental hygiene (which is 2 years)? I would love honest advice (especially from (former) dental students/dental hygiene students).

Thinking about dental school?
Dentistry is a very different profession from dental hygiene. The biggest difference is that in most of the U.S. there is no independent practice by dental hygienists--most are employed by dentists.


Most (certainly not all) dentists are self-employed. So most dentists are small businessmen (and women). That may be a bigger difference than the differences in clinical responsibilities, which obviously are big enough differences.


If you want to go to dental school and can afford what look to me like astronomical tuitions, I say go for it--29 isn't too old (unless you're looking to retire by 40 ;-)





Steve Bornfeld, DDS