Adenike
Hi, I want to be an Orthodontist but I want to first start with being a dental hygienist and move my way on up to be a orthodontist.
I have graduated from high school and will be attending a 2- year college but my plan is to be there for a year and might have to do some summer classes I believe and go to a four year college. I just want to know is this good route that I have planned for myself ? I'm also trying to find an internship that I can apply to get more knowledge of this profession. #dentistry #dentist #dental-hygienist #dental #orthodontist #dental-practice #cosmetic-dentistry
2 answers
Jack Irwin
Jack’s Answer
Orthodontics is a specialty that you can go into after 4 years of dental school. This is following 4 years of undergraduate education. Dental hygiene is a 2 year program at many community colleges. It probably can be done to go onto dental school after going into dental hygiene but I think in my 39 years as a dentist I think I might remember one woman going from hygiene to dentistry. I do not remember if she specialized. Also in today's world you have to do a one year hospital residency after dental school in order to be licensed as a dentist in New York and I think also in some other states.
I have truly enjoyed my career as a general dentist but I would advise you to really think if you want to become a dentist or an orthodontist because it is a very long and expensive commitment. good luck.
Aviva Andreen
Aviva’s Answer
Skip being a hygienist, go straight to dental school after the 4 year college. Not all dental schools will accept many hygienists - there is a prejudice against accepting the "support staff" into the dental schools to become "colleagues. It's as though you've already accepted an inferior career, ergo you don't deserve the priviledge of becoming a dentist. Also, hygiene is only 2 years, so why go to college for 4 years when you can go straight through hygiene school from high school??? You are already in a college program, so go to the 4 year college and straight to dental school. Try getting into a dental office as a part-time volunteer to see what it is like, and note how the doctor is the boss. If you can acheive that position you should go for it!
Hygiene is a viable career on its own, where you can work as much or as little as you want and can almost always find a position. I don't mean to demean it as a career choice on its own merits, but it is not a good career path to become a dentist. Each school will accept perhaps ONE hygienist in each class, and ONE dental assistant - that's too much competition! You are better off competing straight from college with all the other would be dentists for all the other 98 out of 100 to 118 out of 120 places in each school.