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Tangerine
Student
Sedalia, Missouri
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What bachelors degree should I go for?
I want to become a dental hygienist than get my bachelors and than become a dentist!! I'm not sure what bachelors to major in... help!
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3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist & Software Developer since 1972 🡆 Optimization Of Human Performance: jim.frangos@gmail
6805
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Tangerine!
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree for Dental Hygiene and Dentistry
To pursue a career as a dental hygienist and eventually become a dentist, it is essential to understand the educational pathway and the types of bachelor’s degrees that can facilitate this journey. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of your options:
Step 1: Understanding the Role of a Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist typically requires an associate degree in dental hygiene, which can be obtained from community colleges or technical schools. This program usually takes about two years to complete and includes both coursework and clinical practice. After becoming a licensed dental hygienist, you will gain valuable experience in patient care, oral health education, and preventive dentistry.
Step 2: Transitioning to Dentistry
Once you have gained experience as a dental hygienist, you may choose to pursue further education to become a dentist. To apply to dental school, most programs require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific major mandated for dental school admission, certain fields are more advantageous.
Step 3: Recommended Bachelor’s Degrees
Here are some recommended bachelor’s degrees that align well with your goal of becoming a dentist:
Biology: A degree in biology provides foundational knowledge in life sciences, including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. These subjects are crucial for understanding the biological aspects of dentistry.
Chemistry: A chemistry degree offers insights into the chemical processes relevant to oral health and materials used in dentistry. Many dental schools require coursework in organic chemistry as part of their prerequisites.
Health Sciences: This interdisciplinary field covers various aspects of health care and public health, providing knowledge that can be beneficial in both dental hygiene and dentistry.
Biomedical Sciences: This major focuses on the application of biological principles to medicine and healthcare, making it highly relevant for future dentists.
Psychology: Understanding patient behavior is crucial in dentistry; thus, a psychology degree can help develop communication skills and empathy towards patients.
Step 4: Additional Considerations
Prerequisites for Dental School: Regardless of your chosen major, ensure that you complete all prerequisite courses required by the dental schools you wish to apply to (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
Extracurricular Activities: Engage in activities such as volunteering at dental clinics or participating in pre-dental clubs during your undergraduate studies to strengthen your application for dental school.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the field through internships or job shadowing opportunities while pursuing your bachelor’s degree.
Conclusion
In summary, while there is flexibility regarding which bachelor’s degree you can pursue before entering dental school, degrees in biology or chemistry are often considered the most beneficial due to their relevance to medical sciences. Additionally, gaining experience as a dental hygienist will provide practical insights into patient care that will serve you well as you transition into dentistry.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
American Dental Association (ADA): The ADA provides comprehensive resources about educational pathways for aspiring dentists and hygienists.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA): The ADHA offers information on educational requirements for dental hygienists and career advancement opportunities.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC outlines general requirements for medical-related professional schools including dentistry, emphasizing necessary undergraduate coursework.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
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|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|===================THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==================|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree for Dental Hygiene and Dentistry
To pursue a career as a dental hygienist and eventually become a dentist, it is essential to understand the educational pathway and the types of bachelor’s degrees that can facilitate this journey. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of your options:
Step 1: Understanding the Role of a Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist typically requires an associate degree in dental hygiene, which can be obtained from community colleges or technical schools. This program usually takes about two years to complete and includes both coursework and clinical practice. After becoming a licensed dental hygienist, you will gain valuable experience in patient care, oral health education, and preventive dentistry.
Step 2: Transitioning to Dentistry
Once you have gained experience as a dental hygienist, you may choose to pursue further education to become a dentist. To apply to dental school, most programs require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. While there is no specific major mandated for dental school admission, certain fields are more advantageous.
Step 3: Recommended Bachelor’s Degrees
Here are some recommended bachelor’s degrees that align well with your goal of becoming a dentist:
Biology: A degree in biology provides foundational knowledge in life sciences, including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. These subjects are crucial for understanding the biological aspects of dentistry.
Chemistry: A chemistry degree offers insights into the chemical processes relevant to oral health and materials used in dentistry. Many dental schools require coursework in organic chemistry as part of their prerequisites.
Health Sciences: This interdisciplinary field covers various aspects of health care and public health, providing knowledge that can be beneficial in both dental hygiene and dentistry.
Biomedical Sciences: This major focuses on the application of biological principles to medicine and healthcare, making it highly relevant for future dentists.
Psychology: Understanding patient behavior is crucial in dentistry; thus, a psychology degree can help develop communication skills and empathy towards patients.
Step 4: Additional Considerations
Prerequisites for Dental School: Regardless of your chosen major, ensure that you complete all prerequisite courses required by the dental schools you wish to apply to (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
Extracurricular Activities: Engage in activities such as volunteering at dental clinics or participating in pre-dental clubs during your undergraduate studies to strengthen your application for dental school.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the field through internships or job shadowing opportunities while pursuing your bachelor’s degree.
Conclusion
In summary, while there is flexibility regarding which bachelor’s degree you can pursue before entering dental school, degrees in biology or chemistry are often considered the most beneficial due to their relevance to medical sciences. Additionally, gaining experience as a dental hygienist will provide practical insights into patient care that will serve you well as you transition into dentistry.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
American Dental Association (ADA): The ADA provides comprehensive resources about educational pathways for aspiring dentists and hygienists.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA): The ADHA offers information on educational requirements for dental hygienists and career advancement opportunities.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC outlines general requirements for medical-related professional schools including dentistry, emphasizing necessary undergraduate coursework.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|===================THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==================|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1635
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Tangerine, as an aspiring dental hygienists you'll l need to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited dental hygienist program. These programs take 2 to 3 years to complete and include classroom-based education, laboratories, and hands-on clinical experience. You can find prospective dental hygienist programs at dental schools, technical schools, community colleges, and numerous in-person or online colleges and universities. Make sure the program you have chosen is an accredited dental hygienist program. An accredited program refers to a program that’s been officially recognized or authorized by Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). CODA is the only agency that the U.S. The Department of Education has approved accreditation of dental hygienist programs.
Azin Javadi
dentist, researcher
3
Answers
Beverly Hills, California
Updated
Azin’s Answer
You actually have a lot of great options! The best major depends on what you want to do after dental school. If your goal is to simply become a general dentist, then studying something related to dentistry—like biology, chemistry, or health sciences—might be the most straightforward path. These majors will cover many of the prerequisites for dental school.
However, it’s also worth considering other options. For example, you could explore majors like psychology (useful for patient interaction), business (helpful if you plan to run your own practice), or even something unrelated to dentistry that you’re passionate about, as long as you complete the required dental school prerequisites.
The most important thing is to choose a field you’re genuinely interested in while ensuring you meet dental school admission requirements. Good luck with your journey—you’ve got an exciting path ahead!
However, it’s also worth considering other options. For example, you could explore majors like psychology (useful for patient interaction), business (helpful if you plan to run your own practice), or even something unrelated to dentistry that you’re passionate about, as long as you complete the required dental school prerequisites.
The most important thing is to choose a field you’re genuinely interested in while ensuring you meet dental school admission requirements. Good luck with your journey—you’ve got an exciting path ahead!