I plan on starting hygiene school in the fall and was wondering if there’s any downsides to having Invisalign during school? I’ve heard that classmates work on each other frequently throughout the program. Anyone have any experience with this? Thank you!! 😊
I’m stressed I have no savings, but I want to go to dental hygiene school. I work full time to cover my bills, I barely have saving a for two yr community college.
Any tips or advice on what to do and how you prepared yourself for two year program?
I will get financial aid but not sure with the current administration if that’s going to be enough or to cover me at all.
I’m a single mom of two. And currently a dental assistant.
Hi guys, I’m just starting out in hygiene (in 2nd semester) we just had some loupes companies present (Orascoptic, q optics and designs for vision) and I’m curious what everyone’s opinion's are and what companies you would recommend I look into. Thank you!
I am a second year dh student and my instructor this rotation is the WORST. She is brutal for grading, she doesn’t explain why she graded me certain ways, does not upload grades, has put my competency grade under another student’s, and the worst of all in my opinion, She does not stop TAAAALKKKINNGGG. Not even “talking” more like yapping… about nonsense… that does not make sense.
Here is an example of how it goes in clinic..
Instructor: “What is a contraindication for sodium bicarbonate in air polishing?”
Me: “ Restorations like crowns, fillings, and implants, newly erupted teeth, and patients with hypertension due to the salt in…”
“OKYESIGETITYOUDONTNEEDTOEXPLAINMOREIMLOOKINGFORONEWORDIAMNOTLOOKINGFORAWHOLESTORYIGETITYOUTHINKYOUKNOWEVERYTHINGYESYESHAHASODIUMISSALTYOYALRIGHTALRIGHTNOWYESHAAHAUSEDFORHEAVYSTAININGYESALRIGHTRIGHT?BECAUSEHEAVYSTAINING”
I’m sure that is difficult to understand ^ isn’t it? Well that’s EXACTLY how it is. She scream talks and doesn’t explain and has an attitude. She’s so bad my own patient said “I’m exhausted just listening to her”
She physically makes me have heart palpitations and my hands shakes because not only will she stand right behind me, she will scream talks absolute nonsense in my ear while making no sense. I can’t ask her a question because she won’t answer it, she will just talk and talk and talk and about what? I honestly couldn’t tell you.
Dental hygiene school is the most stressful thing I have ever done, and this makes it 10xxxx worse. She is also extremely slow and unorganized. I had to a complete 2 Comps, and she took so long that nobody else in my group was able to complete any or complete their patients. In turn, my group is not happy WITH ME. I have cried that past two days all because of this freaking lady.
Does anyone have any insight to this program? I got waitlisted in tier 1 which has a “high rate of acceptance” but I am trying to get a feel for if I’ve actually got a chance to start in fall of 2026.
Hello, The dental hygiene program I applied to recommended that I start volunteering or get internships to further enhance my clinical skills.
Does anyone know if I can start volunteering at a dental clinic with no experience? and what type of volunteering would I be doing?
I got accepted into a dental hygiene program for the fall and I am wanting to know any recommendations on what to know before starting. I don’t have no experience in the dental field or any health care. I don’t have a dental assistant license, all i know is from my prereqs for the program.I want to prepare myself before starting because of this.
Are all dental hygiene programs at California community colleges equally difficult to get into due to high demand? Or are there dental hygiene programs at some California community colleges that are easier to get into than others?
Hi everyone, I’m 21 and never really know what I wanted to do in hs and currently trying to figure out my career path. I feel really torn between becoming a dental hygienist or going the LCSW (therapist) route, and I’d love honest insight from people in either field.
Here’s where I’m at:
LCSW:
Pros:
- I feel very drawn to this path on a deeper level
- I’m passionate about mental health and faith, and I have ideas for a future nonprofit + healing-focused work
- It feels meaningful and aligned with purpose
Cons:
- The amount of schooling + cost is intimidating
- The process seems long (grad school, supervised hours, etc.)
- I’ve heard it takes a while to make good money
- I’m worried about being stuck in a 9–5 and not having freedom to travel or live flexibly
Dental Hygiene:
Pros:
- Stable career, consistent demand
- Good pay without as many years of school
- Flexible schedule (which I really value)
- No overnight shifts, seems like better work-life balance
Cons:
- I can’t really see myself being passionate about cleaning teeth
- It feels more like I’d be doing it for money/stability, not purpose
Important to me:
- Freedom (I want to be able to travel, maybe even live abroad for periods of time)
- Financial stability
- Not feeling stuck or boxed into a rigid schedule
- Eventually building something of my own (possibly a business or nonprofit)
I’m also in the beauty industry (esthetician path), so I do have a creative side and entrepreneurial goals.
If you’re in either field:
- Do you feel fulfilled?
- What does your lifestyle actually look like?
- Do you feel “free” or tied down?
- If you could go back, would you choose the same path?
I’d really appreciate any real, honest advice. Thank you!