Calling all Dental Hygienist!!! Questions????

Well, I'm a sophmore in college. Well, I'm attending a University actually. After I get my sixty one hours, I'll be transfering to LSU's (Louisiana State University) school of Dental Hygiene for the two year program. My question is: After I graduate from the two year program will I receive a degree or certificate? Associate in dental hygiene?





Will it be better doing a two year program or four in dental hygiene? What will be the advantages of the four year program?





How hard is it to enter dental hygiene school?





Is it better to get a bachelor's degree from a college or university before entering Dental Hygiene School?

Calling all Dental Hygienist!!! Questions????
Dr. Sam and "smileman" both gave you excellent answers and great insight on how some prospective employers view these things. Of course they are on both sides of the fence, but great info!


When I went into hygiene school, I took my bachelor's with me only because I had received college credits in high school and I also had to wait almost 2 full years to enter into hygiene school due to a waiting list.


What I can tell you from my experience on your question of how hard hygiene school is...it is difficult and demanding but so worth it I feel. I knew this was what I wanted to do in the 5th grade :-D


I will not lie to you when I say your State Boards will be a nightmare and you will completely stress, but you will make it through.


And I want to add one more thing...like "smileman" said your abilities to communicate with the patient's and really be able to help educate them is one of the skills you really want to work on. I don't know if I agree that is more important than your technical job skills, I would say they are equal, but if you are a people person you will love your patients ( ok not ALL of them ) and you will establish some good relationships with them over many years hopefully. You will play a major role in their dental care so hone up on those skills all you can.





Best of luck and if you ever have questions, you can email me through my profile on here.
Reply:For what it's worth, I would consider the 4 year degree the TIE-BREAKER in an interview. It's great that you can hold a conversation (a result of a college degree), but there are so many other things that factor into the decision to hire a dental hygienist. And - it would make not one iota of difference with regard to your starting salary. Perhaps other dentists do not agree, but this is how I feel about it.





If you get the degree, you are getting it for yourself for future plans or for your own enrichment.





You'll have to ask at LSU about your specific degree status. I know some schools that ONLY give a B.S. (or B.A.) degree, even though they do not offer any liberal arts courses. The thing it, they require an Associates degree for admission. LSU would probably count your hygiene courses 100% towards a Bachelor's degree. If you are very close in credit hours, you might as well do whatever is required to finish your degree. If you only need 2 or 3 courses, perhaps you can start work as a hygienist and take evening courses...
Reply:Dr. Sam gave a very informative answer, and - from my observation - an opinion held by many practicing dentists.
Reply:A degree is over-rated in my opinion. The ability to communicate with people, patients, co-workers ect is far more important then cleaning teeth. They ability to teach, have empathy and be a leader weigh more then a bachelor degree. A four year degree doesn't make you a better hygienist but a well rounded person with and attractive personality goes a long way. Spend more time on developing you. Your education is a life long pursuit.
Reply:where I went to school for dental assisting a two yr program was an associate degree. In Washington state you have to attend hygiene for two yrs with two yrs prerequisites= 4yr program.


I often observed that the dental assistant with less school can do more than the hygienist. The hygienist knows how but the assist knows how and why. the hygienist tends to pay attention to the few xtra things she can do an assistant cant ie.. shots, probing, tooth preping. Advice dont be a premadonna!!!!! please just stay off the nitrous down hear with common folk and learn how to do a good job but also have compassion and patients thats most important. As for credientials it varies from state to state. good luck
Reply:Dental hygiene is an excellent rewarding career. No two days are ever the same. There is no change salary wise between a four year hygiene degree and a two year. Actually an associate in hygiene is not two years but five semesters of hygiene school, and two semesters of pre-req's. Which adds up to 3.5 years. Why these programs still exist is beyond me. All hygiene should be only two year, or only four year. The associate degree hygienists take the SAME EXACT national board that the four year take. We all are licensed by our state in which we practice. Why the differences I don't have a clue. While some hygienists can be viewed as prim-ma Donna's not all are like that. I am a very down to earth person and don't view myself as better. A well rounded dental practice takes all kinds of employees, assistants, front desk, hygienists, ..........................so for some people to think that they are more important than another individual is just insane. Hygiene school for me was difficult, lots of studying and stress, but very worth it in the end. You may have a waiting program at your preferred college, just depends on how high the demand is in your area. Good luck.