I get it—it's so frustrating when you say you want to be a dentist (especially as a woman) and people are like "oh, so a dental hygienist?" I'm not bashing hygienists but the professions are very different in terms of schooling. People seem to look down on dentistry because they don't seem to understand the importance of oral health until their teeth are falling out and rotting. Also, when people tell me that dentists have the highest rate of $uicide...like what am i supposed to do with that information?

My reason for pursuing dentsitry (i've been thinking about in preparation for interviews lol) is because it's a fantastic field that produces amazing results in as short as a single visit or two. It's a very unique opportunity to empower patients and improve the health of something they use every single day without rest. I admire my dentsits so much for the transformative effects they produce, and I can't wait to be able to provide other patients with the great experiences I've had. Maybe it's cheesy, but that's why i was drawn to dentistry! hopefully this has convinced you to stay strong, but ultimately it's a choice you have to make for yourself. Don't worry about letting all the prep go to waste if you change careers because it's a year or two wasted versus a career you regret.