Unlock the Secrets: From Dental Hygiene to Dentistry
Many dental hygienists wonder if their education and experience can be applied towards becoming a dentist. Dental hygienists are allied dental professionals who provide preventive and therapeutic oral healthcare services. After completing an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene, they must pass a national board exam and obtain a state license to practice. Dentists, on the other hand, are doctors who diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth and gums. They must complete a bachelor's degree, four years of dental school, and pass national and state board exams to practice. While the educational paths of dental hygienists and dentists are different, there is some overlap in their coursework. Both dental hygienists and dentists take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Dental hygienists also take courses in dental hygiene theory and practice, while dentists take cou...