If you hold a DMD can you become a dental hygienist?
Im a senior in high school and was interested in the dental field. Im aware to become a general dentist it takes about 8 years minimum as to become a dental hygienist it takes 2 years minimum. I had planned on getting my DMD degree at a university in Nevada, US in a matter of 4 years. Is it possible to use my DMD degree and become a dental hygienist for a period of time rather than graduating and heading to dental school to become a general dentist? #dentistry #dentist #dental-hygienist #dental
2 answers
Steven’s Answer
I don't understand. A DMD degree is a degree qualifying to be licensed as a dentist. As a practical matter, the DMD and the DDS are equivalent. Now, there WAS a guy in my graduating class who had been a dental hygienist and decided to go back to school for his DDS, and as a hygienist he had a big leg up on the rest of us.
Cheryl Lim RDH, BSDH
Cheryl’s Answer
It would be a 4 yr undergrad BS degree then 4 yrs for your DMD/DDS if I'm correct