r/dentalhygieneschool

Back story, I’m looking to go with a program that doesn’t require TEAS. This is a backup career, I’m already an expanded duties assistant but I work the front desk 🙄. I wanted to get into the LPN program at Chatt Tech however I took the TEAS twice, scored 55 first time then 52 second time. I’m over taking that darn test and it’s $125 each time.

So I started the process of transferring to GSU and it’s been interesting so far, no one answers the phones so I’ve had to go in person. Attending the info session yesterday and the host never showed 😒. I’m taking this as a sign but just wanted to other GA peers before starting the program. I’m hearing mixed reviews about both.

To all of my GA peers please chime in and let me know your experience with either school or your process with the program that you’re in. Thanks 💜

I’m in a one-year dental hygiene program at WLAC. I want to write about how terrible the program is and how ignorant, selfish, and dishonest the professors are. I want to explain how difficult the program is, with tests almost every day, and how it feels nearly impossible to manage. I also want to talk about how the professors don’t accept their mistakes, and at times it even seems like they’re not acting professionally. Students who are applying to WLAC BE AWARE!!! I wish I knew this sooner 😭😭😭 anyone who has gone to this school please share your experiences!

Has anyone returned from the Augusta Dental Hygiene program? I’m losing my mind!

I’m feeling really stuck and would appreciate some honest advice.

I (23F) recently graduated with a background in environmental science + human geography, and I’ve been applying to jobs but haven’t landed anything yet. I’m considering roles around ~$50K, and if I get one, part of me just wants to settle into it for stability and not be drowned in student debt. But at the same time, I’ve been accepted into a dental hygiene program starting January 2027 for 1.5 years.

Here’s my dilemma:

Option 1: Take the job (~$50K)

• No tuition debt
• Start earning right away
• Gain experience
• But salary growth might be slow and I’m not sure I’ll ever reach a high income

Option 2: Go into dental hygiene

• 1.5 years of school + $60K tuition
• Program is intense (this honestly scares me and I’m worried I won’t pass)
• But hygienists in Ontario can make ~$70–100K+

Some extra context:

• I’ll have investment money coming in around 2031 (the amount is pretty decent)
• I’m also thinking long-term about buying a home and financial stability with my partner
• I like the idea of dental hygiene being stable and higher-paying, but the risk + school stress is holding me back

I guess my biggest fears are:

• Going into debt and not succeeding in the program
• Or staying in a lower-paying path and regretting it later

Has anyone been in a similar situation or chosen between school vs. a stable job? What would you do in my position?

Thanks in advance

St clairs college,Ontario

did anyone who’s waitlisted for the dh program got acceptance?

Own a dental practice, 13 staff, 11 women. Spent 4 years ordering branded corporate gifts that nobody wore past week one. When I finally asked my team directly the answer was unanimous: unisex fits were boxy, sleeves too long, shoulder seams in the wrong place. They'd been polite about it for years because it felt ungrateful to complain about a gift.

Running Swaggy Shop (specifically the SwaggyMed healthcare vertical) right now and week 12 is the first time I've seen 9 of 11 still wearing the stuff. For branded corporate gifts in a majority-women dental practice SwaggyMed has been the right fit because women's cuts and unisex are side-by-side in the same store at the same markup, not gated behind an enterprise upcharge. The staff picked their own sizes and styles, and the wear rate went from 10% to ~80% within three weeks.

Real data point nobody tells you about dental specifically: fabric matters as much as fit. We're in short sleeves and layered tops year round with brutal laundry cycles. Tri-blend and modal survived 20+ wash cycles in my kitchen testing (yes I actually did this). A previous vendor's "premium" cotton tee pilled after 4 washes and never recovered. Total budget waste.

Other independent dental practice owners: what's working for you? Specifically interested in practices my size where you don't have procurement buying for you and you're the one making the call.

Are you able to ever be absent? I just wanna know how it all works i know there's 2 in person days, 3 online. How do the online classes work? Ive been thinking of going on vacation for a week in august (im july 2026 intake) but im not sure if its allowed?

i've been trying to get in contact with concordes admissions staff since the beginning of march, i've made several online zoom appointments, which they never opened/started the zoom, i've called multiple different advisors and people in charge who haven't answered, even after leaving multiple voicemails haven't heard back, has this happened to anyone else I don't know what to do! I applied for the ft myers location

I’m in a one-year dental hygiene program at WLAC. I want to write about how terrible the program is and how ignorant, selfish, and dishonest the professors are. I want to explain how difficult the program is, with tests almost every day, and how it feels nearly impossible to manage. I also want to talk about how the professors don’t accept their mistakes, and at times it even seems like they’re not acting professionally. Students who are applying to WLAC BE AWARE!!! I wish I knew this sooner 😭😭😭 anyone who has gone to this school please share your experiences!

I take my mannequin exam tomorrow and I’m considering using my ultrasonic because I want to ensure I remove all calculus but so worried about lacerating the tissue. Is it worth it??

It’s very hard to find any info on acceptance rates, so if anyone has firsthand or anecdotal experience, I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’ve attended Concorde, did you get accepted on the first application cycle?

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!