Dental Hygienists? I'm looking for information about the Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene?

I'm in my 3rd year at the University of Illinois pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy (only because I had to choose a major this semester). I think I'm changing my mind and possibly want to be a Dental Hygienist instead. However, the program for this seems to be at Community Colleges only (if not, solely).


I'm wondering...If i decide to go for my Associates in Dental Hygiene, will it take the full two years? I have pretty much all of my General Education Requirements fufilled. Will that help me finish faster? Am I better off just finishing off my Bachelors? What do you think?


Any opinions will help!


Thanks!

Dental Hygienists? I'm looking for information about the Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene?
you would probably be better off finishing your bachelors because it'll still take you two more years for the dental hygiene classes, there are alot of clinicals you'd have to do and mostly it has to do with dental and i'm sure you didn't take those classes for general studies.. it would just be easier to finish what you started and just look around to see what kind of job you can get with what you'll receive and basically stick with it... but if you want to restart it's up to you,


you should do whatever makes you happy.I just thought it'd be easier the other way.
Reply:Personally I would finish my bach. first. An associate in Dental Hygiene actually takes about three years(in my area), counting your core classes. You will have about five semesters worth of dental hygiene related classes. There also may be some core classes that you have not taken yet, such as biochemistry, micro-biology, etc. If you have not had Anatomy/Phil. 1 and 2 then you will also have to take these classes as well. It will take you a full 2 to 2.5 years even with your bach. so make sure that you factor this into your decision making. Good luck.