From Dental Hygienist to Dentist: Your Compassionate Guide to Making the Leap

That moment when you ask yourself, “Could I become a dentist after years as a dental hygienist?”—that’s more common than you might think. Maybe you want more freedom in your job, hope to do more for your patients, or you’re looking for a better paycheck. No matter the reason, it’s a big step, and the path ahead can look tough.

Let’s talk about what it really takes to go from Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) to Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). I’ll explain each step—no difficult words, just simple answers, some honest support, and the real facts about what it involves. Whether you just started as a hygienist or you’re thinking of changing careers later in life, you’re in the right place.

In This Article

• Why Dental Hygienists Think About Becoming Dentists
• What You Need Before Applying: School Subjects, Tests, and Experience
• How to Apply to Dental School
• What Dental School is Like
• Paying for Your Dental Education
• What Happens After Graduation: Getting Licensed, Residencies, and Your Career
• Pros and Cons: Should You Do It?
• Real Advice and Success Stories
• Your Action Steps

Why Dental Hygienists Think About Becoming Dentists

Let’s be real—do a lot of hygienists want more from their careers? Yes, many do! Here’s why you might want to make the switch:

• More freedom: Dentists make the main choices about how to treat patients.
• Do more: Hygienists do very important cleanings and check-ups, but dentists can find problems, fix teeth, and offer many more services.
• More money: Dentists usually make a lot more money than hygienists.
• Own your own office: Dentists can start or buy their own dental practices.
• Learn more: You might want to keep learning or get into a special field, like braces or surgery.

Your time as a hygienist gives you a boost—we’ll talk about how in a bit.

What You Need Before Applying: School Subjects, Tests, and Experience

You might wonder, “Does my hygiene degree help me get into dental school?” Good news: It does, but you still need to fit all the usual dental school steps. Here’s what you need.

School Subjects

Most dental schools want you to have finished these science classes:

• Biology (with labs)
• General Chemistry (with labs)
• Organic Chemistry (with labs)
• Physics
• English or Composition
• Sometimes Math or Biochemistry

What if you’re missing some classes?

Maybe your dental hygiene courses missed a few. That’s okay! You can pick those up at community college, a university, or in special “post-bacc” programs made for people changing careers.

Minimum GPA:

Most schools want at least a 3.0 GPA, but students who get in often have higher—around 3.2–3.7. If your grades aren’t top-notch, a post-bacc program can help show you know your stuff.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Everyone hoping to get into dental school needs to take the DAT, even if you’ve been working for a while. Think of the DAT as your entry ticket—the better you do, the more likely schools say yes. The DAT covers:

• Science (biology, general and organic chemistry)
• Perceptual Ability (seeing shapes and spaces)
• Reading
• Math basics

Is it hard?

The DAT isn’t easy, especially if you haven’t had science classes for a while. But as a hygienist, you probably have some background already.

• Tip: Give yourself a few months to study. Try online courses, flashcards, and lots of practice tests.

What score do you need?

A good DAT score is usually 19–22. Schools share what scores their accepted students have—check their websites for details.

Experience & Shadowing

Here’s where being a hygienist helps.

• Patient care: You already work with patients all the time, deal with nerves, and know how dental offices run.
• Shadowing: Schools want to see hours spent following dentists around—even as a hygienist, you should see different types of procedures like root canals or surgeries, not just cleanings.
• Volunteering: Many students help at free dental clinics or health fairs. This looks great, especially if you help people from different backgrounds.

Reference Letters

Schools want letters from people like:

• Science teachers
• Dentists you’ve shadowed or worked with
• Dental office managers or bosses

Ask for letters that talk about how hard you work, how you’ve grown, and why you want to be a dentist.

How to Apply to Dental School

Let’s go through what happens when you’re ready to apply.

Application Timeline & Platform

Most U.S. dental schools use the

Your Personal Statement

Time to tell your own story.

• Share what being a hygienist taught you.
• Explain why you want to be a dentist now.
• Talk about real moments with patients (without sharing private info).
• Show you get what being a dentist is really like.

Interviews: For Career Changers

Dental schools might ask you things like:

• Why do you want to switch careers?
• Can you handle tough classes after being away from school?
• What proved you can take charge, lead, and help patients at a higher level?

Just be honest—your life experience matters!

What Dental School is Like

Here’s what you can really expect:

What You’ll Learn

Dental school is usually four years:

• First 2 years: Lots of science (like anatomy and chemistry) and practice doing dental work on fake teeth (“phantom heads”).
• Last 2 years: You treat real patients in clinics while teachers help you.
• Extra rotations: Want to see what it’s like to be a surgeon or kids’ dentist? You can try out different areas.

Managing Time

No joke—dental school is hard.

• Time needed: About 35–40+ hours a week with classes, labs, and homework.
• Having friends, study groups, and teachers to talk to helps a lot.
• Lots of students with kids or jobs find that making a weekly plan cuts down on stress.

Why Your Hygienist Background Helps

This is your strong point. You already know:

• How to talk to patients
• How to use dental tools
• How to make people feel at ease in the chair

Teachers and classmates often appreciate people who’ve worked in dental offices before.

Paying for Your Dental Education

Let’s get real about money, because it matters.

How Much Does Dental School Cost?

• Public schools (in your state): $200,000–$300,000 or more (classes and living expenses)
• Out-of-state or private schools: $300,000–$500,000+

Prices change a lot based on where you go and if you get help paying.

How to Pay

• Student loans: Most students use government loans (usually have better rates than bank loans), but you’ll likely owe a lot when you graduate.
• Grants and scholarships: Some are just for people switching careers, minorities, or those already in healthcare.
• Can you work during dental school? Not during the first two years—school is full-time. Some students find part-time work later, but it’s not easy.

Is It Worth It?

• How much do dentists make? Average U.S. general dentists earn about $160,000–$200,000 a year. Specialists often earn more.
• Remember: You’ll have loan payments, four years (or more) of school, and miss out on earning as a hygienist during that time.
• Compare with hygienist pay—often $65,000–$90,000 per year, sometimes more.

What Happens After Graduation: Getting Licensed, Residencies, and Your Career

You made it through dental school! Here’s what’s next:

Getting Your License

All new dentists in the U.S. need to pass:

• Two big written tests (National Board Dental Exams)
• A hands-on clinical test (working on real people or models)
• State law tests (depends on your state)

Extra Training and Specialties

Many new dentists begin working right away, but you might choose:

• General Practice Residency (GPR) or Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD): Good for more practice before working alone.
• Specialties: Want to do braces, root canals, work with kids, surgery, or focus on gums or replacing teeth? These take extra years of training.

Kinds of Dental Jobs

• Associate dentist: Work in an already-set-up office to learn more and save money.
• Own a practice: Start or buy a dental office (often a few years after getting your license).
• Teaching or public health: For those who want to teach or help the community.
• Work in business or research: Some dentists help make dental products, work with companies, or give advice.

For more about complex procedures, check out this crown and bridge lab.

Pros and Cons: Should You Do It?

Every job move has good and bad sides. Here’s what to think about:

Why It’s Good

• More freedom and responsibility: You make the big decisions for your patients.
• Better pay: Dentists usually make more than hygienists.
• More opportunities: You can teach, lead, focus on one area, and more.
• More rewarding: Many people like being in charge of patient care.

Why It’s Tough

• It costs a lot: Think $200,000–$500,000 just for school, plus years not working.
• School is hard: The classes move fast, and there’s lots to learn—even for smart students.
• Takes time: Four years in school at least, longer for a specialty.
• Dentistry can be stressful: It’s hard on your body and mind.
• It’s tricky if you have a family or lots of other responsibilities.

Still unsure? Read some stories below.

Real Advice and Success Stories

Meet Lisa, in her 30s:

“I liked working as a hygienist but wanted more. Dental school was hard—lots of late nights and learning how to study again—but being a hygienist helped. I was good with patients and tools, and classmates looked up to me. It’s a big money risk, but I’m glad I did it—I run my own office now!”

James shares:

“The DAT scared me at 40. I joined a prep course and found a study buddy. Being the ‘older’ student felt strange at first, but I had ideas my classmates didn’t. Don’t forget—being older has its perks!”

All stories are different, but here’s what works:

• Ask for help when you need it
• Lean on your real-world experience
• Make time for family and mental health

Your Action Steps: Take Charge of Your Dental Career

Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you can do:

1. Research Dental Schools

• Make a list of schools you like.
• Check out their GPA, class, and DAT needs.

2. Check Your Classes

• Look over your old transcripts.
• Plan to take any missing classes or think about a post-bacc program.

3. Study for the DAT Early

• Pick your test date ahead of time.
• Make a real study plan—give yourself 2–6 months to prepare.

4. Get More Shadowing and Volunteering

• Follow dentists in different special areas—not just general dentistry.
• Watch new procedures if you can.

5. Plan the Money Side

• Check the prices at schools you care about.
• Look into scholarships or loans.
• Think about moving if it means paying in-state prices.

6. Talk to People Who’ve Made the Jump

• Reach out to dental school counselors, pre-health advisors, and former hygienists who became dentists.
• Join online forums or local groups.

7. Look After Yourself

• Think about your family, money, and time. There’s no “best” time—just what’s right for you.

8. It’s Not Too Late

• Dental schools welcome people changing careers and older students. Your background counts.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can become a dentist after working as a dental hygienist.
• You’ll need all the required science classes, a good DAT score, and great references.
• Dental school is hard, but rewarding—your time as a hygienist will really help you.
• The price is big—do your homework on what it will cost, and how to pay.
• Think about the good and bad before making your decision.

Bonus: Helpful Resources and Related Reading

• The American Dental Association (ADA): www.ada.org
• American Dental Education Association: www.adea.org
• For advanced dental lab solutions, see zirconia lab.

Looking for a lab for high-end ceramic teeth? Browse emax dental lab.

Last Words: Move Forward With Confidence

Choosing to go from dental hygiene to dentistry is a big and brave move. If your gut says you want to do more for your patients and yourself, don’t let fear or doubts stop you. First, learn about your choices, make a plan, and talk to people who’ve done it before.

Your time as a hygienist isn’t just practice—it’s your strong base. Whatever you decide, you’re already making a real difference. With planning, hard work, and a clear “why,” you can take the next step in your dental career.

Ready for step one? Talk to a dental school advisor, or start reading up on schools that work for you. The road may be long, but you’re ready for it.

Questions or need advice about a certain part of this journey? Leave a comment or reach out—being connected is one of the best things about the dental field!