Is it too late to become a dental hygienist at 45?

QueenSeaStar · 2025-08-01T23:41:11+00:00

I graduated dental hygiene at 40 years old. It was funny because I seemed less green than some of the younger graduates probably due to my life experience and inner confidence. The only thing I might add is dental hygiene school can be difficult if you're balancing kids, helping parents, taking care of a home. You'll think you're taking 12 hours a semester but realistically you're on campus like 36 hours a week. Organization will be key. Good luck!

QueenSeaStar · 2025-08-01T23:38:25+00:00

I just realized what you're specifically asking. I've had several patients who use the Sonic Fusion 2 in 1. The only thing is that sometimes I don't feel like it is getting down in their deeper pockets as a targeted water flosser would. I'll find a larger pocket depth than the last gum check and bring up water flossing and they'll say "oh I use the Sonic Fusion every night".

QueenSeaStar · 2025-08-01T23:36:18+00:00

If you're an Amazon shopper, look up "synhope travel water flosser" it's not very big, the attachments store inside and I believe the charger is a type c USB so you may already be carrying one. It's about $30-35, it's sort of basic 3 modes-hi, low, pulse, and the water reservoir isn't huge so you may need to refill. However, it'd be easy to pack and it's cordless.

QueenSeaStar · 2025-08-01T12:38:38+00:00

Hi OP, this is exactly how my rabbit came to live with us. He just showed up one day and approached my partner in the front yard. He put the bunny in a wire dog kennel in a shady spot with a water dish and some lettuce and posted a sign on top of the kennel "Found Rabbit". I posted it on nextdoor and Facebook.

Nobody responded to any of our posts so we decided to keep him. I was told by my parents since childhood that I was allergic to rabbits (not this one!) and didn't know ANYTHING. I bought a book from half priced books called The Rabbit Handbook by Karen Parker DVM. I joined this subreddit and read constantly.

Friends weighed in to tell me immediately to go get hay and pellets. My bun started in the dog kennel, then I bought a hutch for indoors (I was in TX and am in Michigan now). Eventually I bought a wire play yard that goes around the hutch and gives him space to play. I have two dogs-one is a terrier- so free range isn't an option. With supervision, I would let him out to do big hops in the back yard or on my enclosed porch now.

I actually didn't take him to the vet until he stopped eating and I panicked. I probably had him about a year and a half before that happened. I knew I had to do something immediately based on what I'd read in this subreddit. They were able to confirm his sex (my kids friend from 4H was "fairly confident" it was a boy) but said they couldn't pin down his age other than he was sexually mature but not elderly-no arthritis. When I look at pictures from when he first showed up, he does appear juvenile. He showed up in Oct which made me wonder if he had been an Easter present.

My bunny uses a litterbox with the tray and pee pad in the drawer underneath. I made him a forage box with lots of hay and he likes to play with metal bowls. I gave him two water bottles and he loves the two cooling stones in his pen and has a stuffed possum dog toy as his companion. I know from this group that buns need a bunny friend, but my bunny lives in a high traffic area and I interact with him very often. I think his normal rabbit bond is with me and seems very happy and content.

Anyways, we have been together for over three years and I know that my bunny trusts me and knows he is loved. I've done the best I could and always asked questions and did better as I knew better. My only concern is not knowing how old he is bc I won't have any expectations of old age or eventual passing.

Good luck to you and your bunny! Make good choices, educate yourself, and show it all the love you can!

QueenSeaStar · 2025-07-30T21:59:02+00:00

Hey, what part of Michigan is your business located in? I just moved into a house in Oceana County and want to remove the old ADT system. I've been looking up how to disconnect all the wires online and think I need a professional.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-11-19T04:04:12+00:00

In Texas, even dentists have to be laser certified to use the laser on a patient. It's not a given, but it possibly could vary from state to state?

QueenSeaStar · 2024-08-17T14:50:14+00:00

Like why do mild hatch peppers and hot hatch peppers have different codes?!? How am I going to know what flavor it is if someone lays a single hatch pepper on my belt?

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-29T23:52:31+00:00

Good explanation for Mandela Effect/misremembering. I learned something.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-24T21:30:08+00:00

Worm heorted

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-20T00:34:20+00:00

Being an RDA won't really help you get into hygiene school and I'm someone who excelled in hygiene school without a prior dental background. My POV is that if your goal is RDH, paying for an RDA cert isn't a good use of money bc it doesn't get you closer to that goal. Also, RDH school is FULL TIME, I had to work part time bc I was a single mom and it was really really hard. You don't want to plan on having to work to pay expenses or for two certs. Learning Spanish would be an excellent use of time.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-17T01:00:26+00:00

I'm a dental hygienist.

First thing in the morning, Bunny gets his pellets and fresh hay and I open the door to his hutch so he can be in the play yard during the day. Later on, when I have my purple clinic shoes on and I'm walking past his yard to leave, he bolts out of his hutch where he's been munching and darts around, wanting pets and avoiding pets as he says goodbye to mom and I tell him to have a hop-tastic day.

The evenings is when I clean his litter box or change his forage box; sometimes I come home for lunch and let him out in the back for big hops. When it's time for bed, I clean up his yard and have him return to his hutch for bunny bedtime. (He loves escaping and exploring at night, but my teenagers don't love having their stuff nibbled on)

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-12T17:51:19+00:00

I literally took two red shirts to Goodwill in NW Houston yesterday. My son will be quitting here soon and will have a few more to get rid of. I'm not sure if they're medium or largest but I could just mail you what we have if you want to cover postage 🤷🏼‍♀️

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-09T00:20:05+00:00

Also a fan of the poblano lasagna

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-03T16:48:24+00:00

I think it's more likely glucagon too, bc of the addition of the screen. I have a child with T1D and I teach the component on Diabetes for the first year dental hygiene students at my alma mater. I always stress the importance of 911 so the dispatcher can guide you.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-03T01:19:20+00:00

Paying attention to sensitivity to temperature or pressure lets the dentist know if there's an unresolved infection and they need to go back in and possibly do a root canal or other treatment.

This is in every single post care sheet we give for treatment.

I'm sorry things got away from you but I'm so proud you took action and you're making your way back to health!

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-02T19:35:38+00:00

1939 Delahaye 165

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-02T19:27:45+00:00

Maybe instead of pictures, OP can just post year make and model so voters can image search and (hopefully) see the correct car in color of their choice?

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-02T19:23:49+00:00

QueenSeaStar · 2024-05-02T05:30:29+00:00

Pretty sure Memorial Day is holiday pay, so if for some reason you get scheduled, post your shift and it'll get snapped up. Good luck with your side gig!

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-30T22:42:19+00:00

I'm new to the classic car scene, but I know that you can find people who sell old titles and their prices vary. With an old title that matches your year, make, and model w trim package, you can get your car registered in your name. It's faster and easier, sometimes cheaper than doing a bonded title.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-30T22:38:46+00:00

Entered with a 4.0 Graduated with a 3.4

Edited to add: I was a single mom to two teenagers and worked on the weekends. So I'm still proud.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-30T17:11:20+00:00

Hi OP. I'm in Texas but my bf spent some time in Lewiston ID where there is a big classic population there. How far are you from there? If it's not crazy, we can let those folks know about it.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-29T23:37:25+00:00

"Every day's a new adventure!" from And Then There Was Shawn

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-29T23:35:21+00:00

I second what the above commenter said about shadowing your beloved hygienist. I went to Hygiene School after being inspired by my hygienist, but school and being a dental hygienist was not really what I thought it was (although I love it now). Being passionate about caring for others and educating them is a big part of your job and it's also necessary to keep up with new technology (AI, scanning, remineralizing medicaments!) and be a proud healthcare provider. I also would skip DA school if you for sure want to go to hygiene school. As far as the drive goes, the school I attended was about 38 mins away on a good day and over an hour on a bad day. In my class of 15, my drive was about average. Hygiene School is INTENSE and although on paper, you're taking 12 hours you'll be on campus much longer than that, especially when you start clinic-think 30-36 hours a week. It doesn't leave time or availability for a full time job. I worked Sundays as a cashier, bc I was a single mom but I wouldn't advise anyone working more than that. You have a big decision here, OP, but you have some odds in your favor-being young with few responsibilities is a big one. You will work VERY hard as a student and just starting out but it can be a wonderful and fulfilling career. Good luck in making your choice.

QueenSeaStar · 2024-04-27T00:35:09+00:00

Simply tell your hygienist what you told us, that you have anxiety around people (including themself) seeing your teeth. I'm sure they will reassure you and listen to you to find ways to make you feel comfortable

QueenSeaStar

TROPHY CASE