How to Become a Dentist After Working as a Dental Hygienist

Key Takeaways

• Dental hygienists already have the knowledge and skills that equip them to transition smoothly into a career as a dentist.

• To become a dentist after working as a dental hygienist, professionals must obtain any additional prerequisites, pass the Dental Admission Test, complete a program from an accredited dental school, and obtain licensure in their state.

• Aspiring dentists must consider the time commitments and challenges associated with returning to school and completing the necessary prerequisites to expand into a dental career.

• Dental hygienists can continue to pick up shifts on their terms and work on their schedule to earn additional income and maintain flexibility while in school.

Why Hygienists Consider the Path to Dentistry

Many of the skills gained from working as a dental hygienist translate into dentistry and provide a strong opportunity to expand your career. Dental hygienists have a leg up in the path to a career in dentistry because of their clinical experience, patient communication skills, and familiarity with dental workflows.

However, the path to dentistry is still a difficult one, even for someone with transferable skills, requiring additional schooling and a more intensive license. The worlds of preventive dental care and restorative treatment-focused dental care are more different than many think. That said, for many hygienists, it provides the opportunity to increase their earning potential and advance their careers. Dental hygienists make a median annual wage of $94,260, while dentists make a median annual wage of $179,210.

The transition into dental work requires a deep commitment to additional education and training to obtain the necessary degree and licensing. However, for dental hygienists interested in becoming dentists and providing direct care, the change can be incredibly rewarding.

Evaluate and Complete Prerequisites

Although there is some overlap, dental hygiene and dentistry are two different jobs with their own demands and educational requirements. While a dental hygienist only needs to earn an associate’s degree, a dentist needs a bachelor’s degree with additional prerequisites. Hygienists interested in branching into dentistry will need to build on this education by completing additional prerequisites while earning good grades to bolster their dental school application.

Common prerequisites include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physics

Many hygienists have foundational knowledge in these areas from previous schooling, but will need to pursue additional education to complete a bachelor’s degree and qualify for dental school. It’s recommended to request a copy of your transcript so that you can have a clear and accurate picture of your academic history and any gaps you might need to fill prior to pursuing a dental program.

What the Transition Actually Looks Like (Timeline, Cost, and Commitment)

The transition from a dental hygienist to a dentist role can be smoother for many, as some of the skills required to work as a dental hygienist are transferable, but it is still demanding, considering the time, cost, and hard work necessary. It’s critical that you have the dedication and consideration to balance the demands of work, school, and other personal responsibilities as you advance your career.

The transition into a role as a dentist is lengthy, requiring the Dental Admissions Test, additional prerequisite courses, a bachelor’s degree, and completion of dental school. Altogether, the pathway takes a hygienist approximately 6 to 8 additional years beyond their previous education to complete a bachelor’s degree, dental school, and licensing exams. Specialty training can take even longer, adding 2 to 6 years.

Costs to complete schooling and obtain a degree can range anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000, including the costs of tuition, tools, and licensing:

• Dental Admission Test: $560
• Dental School Tuition: $46,845 to $90,090 per year
• Dental Instruments and Supplies: Around $20,000 for all four years
• Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE): $880

While costly, the high earning potential for dentists can offset the high costs of becoming one. While the path is achievable and rewarding, it requires steady, long-term planning and persistence that is not to be underestimated.

Preparing for the DAT

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized exam administered by the American Dental Association and required for admission to any US dental school. The exam takes five hours and 15 minutes and features 280 multiple-choice questions across four sections.

Most applicants take the DAT between completing prerequisites or after earning their bachelor’s degree, within a year of beginning dental school. The test must be taken within two years of applying. The DAT exam is rather rigorous and requires months of preparation. Many aspiring dentists study anywhere from 200 to 300 hours for the exam.

Applicants may take the DAT up to five times to achieve a passing score, but must wait 60 days between attempts. Strong scores on the DAT can help offset a non-traditional academic path, equipping aspiring dentists with the opportunity to make a good impression on their application.

Strengthen the Application with Clinical and Professional Experience

Working as a dental hygienist provides you with a strong foundation of clinical experience. This track record of providing patient care, having chairside experience, and an understanding of dental procedures can give you a leg up when applying to dental school, but it’s important to be able to showcase this experience in your application. Bolster your application by highlighting clinical experience, including any direct experience shadowing dentists, dental assisting, or volunteering in dental clinics and community health centers.

Build a Competitive Dental School Application

Getting into dental school requires a competitive application that demonstrates your experience and potential. Although clinical experience will provide a strong foundation for an application, dental hygienists will still need several additional components to boost their chances of acceptance into their preferred program.

Key components of an application include:

• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Undergraduate transcripts
• DAT scores
• Experience summaries

In your application, it’s a good idea to center your experience as a hygienist and clearly articulate your motivations for transitioning into dentistry. Highlighting your experience and goals for career growth can set you apart as a candidate and make you a desirable applicant for many programs.

Navigate Dental School Training

Dental school is necessary for acquiring and demonstrating the skills needed to become a dentist. While dental hygienists can begin building their career with an associate’s degree, dentists must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) program. Dental school typically lasts 4 years, with specializations requiring 2-6 more years.

A typical program involves:

• Lectures and classroom learning
• Lab work
• Clinical rotations

Prior hygienist experience can make schooling feel more achievable, with patient interactions and clinical experience giving background knowledge and comfort. Still, dental school is a strenuous time commitment that features long hours, a comprehensive curriculum, and a fast-paced environment.

Plan for Licensing and Residency Requirements

After graduation, aspiring dentists must obtain licensure in their state, the final step before being able to practice. Licensing requirements vary on a state-to-state basis. Dentists will need to check with their state dental board to verify their specific requirements.

While specific requirements vary, common requirements include:

• A completed application to the state dental board
• Graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental school
• Passing the Integrated National Dental Board Examination (INDBE)
• Passing a state clinical exam
• Passing a background check

Some graduates pursue additional training depending on their goals. For example, a dentist interested in specializing in periodontal dentistry should pursue clinical experience, post-graduate education, and certification in periodontics. After obtaining licensure, dentists in most states should also expect to pursue continuing education credits in order to renew their license every 1-2 years.

Balancing Work, School, and Life During the Transition

Dental school is a demanding commitment, and the idea of balancing work, school, family, and other commitments is a critical consideration. Time management skills and financial planning are critical to success. Aspiring dentists must proactively consider how they will manage their coursework alongside other responsibilities, including coordinating with family support systems and seeking opportunities to earn extra money to fund their schooling.

Many aspiring dentists consider transitioning gradually while completing their coursework by either taking a few classes at a time or continuing to work as a hygienist while in school. Picking up dental hygienist shifts while studying for your exam or attending school is a great way to supplement your income and continue to build upon your clinical experience.

Explore Dental Career Opportunities

Dental hygienists have strong potential to move into a career in dentistry, but one shouldn’t underestimate the many new skills and the additional education necessary for a job role that is far more different than many realize. Although both professions require some similar skills, the journey to becoming a dentist is far more rigorous, with additional schooling and considerable commitment.

Toothio offers seasoned dental hygienists the opportunity to find high-quality work opportunities in dental practices on shifts that meet their schedule. Experienced professionals who use Toothio can simply search for available shifts in their area and choose those that align with their preferred pay rates. Toothio’s flexible nature for picking up shifts makes it a convenient way for hygienists to supplement their experience and income.

Sign up with Toothio to start picking up shifts today.