I am thinking about going to school to become a dental assistant. I have two kids to support though, and need to know how much they start out at in West Virginia and how much you can top out at?

I think that the answers above me are referring to the wage of a dental hygienest. Hygienests make $22 to $30 dollars an hour because the occupation requires a degree in dental hygiene. A dental assistant does not have to have a degree. Depending on the area you will work in, beginning pay with no experience starts at $7/hr. Some will start at $9, others at $12. It just depends on who you work for. Many assistants top out around $15/hr. Some can make $20, but you don't want to put up with what they do to get it. E-mail me if you have anymore questions.

As I live in Vegas—schools should be in LAS VEGAS only please

Community College of Southern Nevada
6375 W Charleston Blvd – W1A
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Program Information:
Program: Dental Hygiene
Program Administrator: Ms. Doreen Craig
Phone: 702-651-5593

Northwest Health Careers
7398 Smoke Ranch Road, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Program Information:
Program: Dental Hygiene
Program Administrator: Dr. Kyle G. Baker
Phone: 702-256-3263

If you go to the following links and select your state, you will see all the accredited schools in the state.
http://ada.org/prof/ed/programs/search_dahlt_us.asp

http://adha.org/careerinfo/dir_education.htm

I am a junior in high school hoping to pursue a career in dentistry. Can you recommend a good dental school, possibly with an accelerated program preferably on a coast? Also, I would like to know what sequence I need to follow to become a dentist.

The University of Iowa–not on a coast–in Iowa City. I always used to go there for my dental care. You get lots of clinical practice time,

I have a question about what I should do. Last month I applied for dental assisting at a college its a one year program. But now I want to do dental hygiene which is a 2 year program and I applied for it today. The problem is tomorrow is the application deadline so I might not get into hygiene this year.

I was thinking if I get accepted in assisting but not hygiene should I still take dental assisting this year then try to get in hygiene next year? Or take a year off school and try applying next year for hygiene?
Also if I get accepted in both assisting and hygiene this year should I take assisting then hygiene or just go straight to hygiene?

I know it sounds confusing but I just want to make sure I make the right choice thanks.

Well, if you know that you want to be in hygiene eventually, going to assisting school will only help you. Try to get into the hygiene program and see what they say. If you don't get in, assisting school can be looked at as progress toward your goal. If you don't get into the hygiene program at all, you'll be able to work as an assistant permanently or until you DO get into a program. It's always better to get more education. Best of luck to you.

Does anyone know what the only required classes I would have to take to become a dental hygienist? School is not my thing but if I could see what classes were required I might actually go for it. I've seen what some of them MIGHT be but not actually the REQUIRED ONLY classes would be. Any information would be great! Thanks!

Check with the schools online listings. I too am trying to get into a dental hygienists program in my area and have found that there three different schools with three different sets of entrance criteria.

There are some consistencies- Chemistry, Anatomy/Physiology I & II and Microbiology on the science side, English, Communications and Intro to Physcology and Intro to Sociology. Pretty much the basics for any general education requirement.

Some of the differences lie in a computer class requirement, or a math the was speciffically geared toward the medical professional.

Your best bet is to check on the Dental Hygienists link on the schools web site. They should list a desired schedule with the classes that they would recommend to you- these include some of the general requirements I listed as well as the Dental Hygienists classes which are required.

I went down the list and made sure that I had the classes listed in the general area covered with what I had taken so far. On the items that I was missing- those were the courses that I registered for. Also- most schools require that you have taken an assessment test that shows the level you would come in at if you were to take English and Math classes. Those scores were also taken into the registration process.

Completed the last one I needed in the fall 2007- have sent in all of my transcripts and registration forms so now I am just waiting to hear back…..

Good Luck.

about the pro's ans con's? Please be brutally honest. I've heard HORRIBLE things (jerk dentists, no benefits) and wonderful things (flexible, good pay). Please give me your honest opinion.

I have been licensed for 33 years. I have also worked in a research lab, advertising and business management, but have come back to dental hygiene.

I have been practicing dental hygiene for 12 years in the same office. It is a great office, which makes all the difference in the world. (when I interviewed, everyone in the office had worked there for years….newby had been there 5 years! That was a hint about the satisfaction of the staff)

Bad points: done well, it is very hard work. If you are the only rdh in the office, you have a lot of responsibility without a lot of support. You also cannot avoid seeing those patients that are difficult.

Good points: can find flexible hours, new patient every 45 minutes – hour (good for people like me with attention deficit), can improve the health of your patients, no homework (unlike teaching), rarely if ever work holidays, don't have to work evenings or Saturdays unless choose to, wear uniforms (don't have to figure out what to wear in the morning).

As far as horrible bosses, yep they are out there. Become the best rdh possible and you will be able to pick the office that is the best for you. Good luck!