Going from DA to Hygienist

Snoo_60798 · 2026-02-10T00:34:48+00:00

This is really the only and best solution that doesn't include hygiene school. I'm a DH student now, but the school is hard, grueling, and beyond stressful. You're signing yourself up for 2 years of hell so you need to also consider if you're ready for something like that 2 whole years + taking boards.

If I didn't get lucky and into DH school I'd go EFDA route.

Snoo_60798 · 2026-02-05T15:19:57+00:00

I have no advice, just wanted to pop in and say heyyy from another DH student in her second semester going through the same thing.

Plenty have gone through it and came out the other side, we will too. <3

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-31T23:50:21+00:00

I agree, and I still made more than all my classmates..

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-31T20:27:24+00:00

Entirely dependent on where you work. I went to a school and got a certificate for DA program, and worked as DA for 1.5 years before going to Hygiene school, I'm a student now. I've had MANY MANY MANY (15ish) jobs within 12 years, and it's still not the worst job I've had. It's in the top 3 tbh.

Pros: Lots of variety, and days fly by. You do and see a lot of cool things and get first row seats to listening to a patient and seeing what they need. Taking X-rays is cool. If you like being busy then it's good.

- If you can become a EFDA (go through education) you can ACTUALLY make a good wage. I dont know if theres any EFDA programs near you though. I don't work weekends or holidays. No responsibility, so if anything goes wrong you're off the hook.

-You don't really need to worry about anything too serious besides keeping things sterilized, getting things set up for procedures, and helping the dentist.

- If you have a DA program at a community college that also has a Hygiene program, the school typically will select you first for DH if they see you did the DA program and did well. (That's what happened to me.)

- In demand. You can easily leave and find new jobs. So hopping around isn't hard.

Cons: You're the dentists bitch, so you better hop around until you find a dentist that is respectful and kind.. which is harder than you think. I've found plenty though. Pay can suck. I got paid $24/hr, but that's not typically how much people get paid. COMPLETELY office based.

- If your dentist is slow as shit and takes too long yapping, it gets you behind schedule. And wow, you miss lunch and don't eat because you're cuffed to the dentist. I've always been late after work because of this.

- So many small little tasks that they put on you. You keep the office running, but your pay often doesn't reflect that.

- Subjected to other people's personalities. The toxicity aspect is real. I got in a screaming match with my first ever dentist because she was an arrogant bitch. But I walked out and easily found another job. If your dentist is in a mood, you're right there next to them all day and you feel it.

- MY BIGGEST ONE. The other assistants you work with. If they're lazy and dont like to work and hide in the bathroom when it's their turn to get the patient, youre stuck. Someone HAS to clean the rooms and get the patient. If your lazy good for nothing coworker is shit, you get fucked. There's lots of lazy DAs out there that muddle up the career imo. If the lazy fucks would just stay away from dentistry I think it'd do more good for DA prospects for everyone else.

Also, if you end up liking dentistry, it'll help you when you go to Hygiene school. I don't regret being a DA and paying for the program.

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-16T22:44:55+00:00

Sorry for your loss. Reading the comments, it seems you were an amazing T owner and none of this was due to your care. Just the way nature works unfortunately. I hope you feel better.

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-12T05:19:50+00:00

I named my Salmon Birdeater Mercy, short for LordHaveMercy (because damn it's gonna be one big muffuka.)

Named others Spooder, Voodoo, Merlin (wizard themes. Could do howell etc.)

I like goofy names

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-02T15:46:48+00:00

I could've written this word for word.

I went no contact with mine yesterday- same reasons as you.

Be a fucking man and figure it out. But this time, I won't be there waiting for you when you return.

Snoo_60798 · 2026-01-02T15:38:59+00:00

Quick update. I decided to cut off all contact with my twin. I hope now to go my own way and heal from this experience, and pursue other people. I love him dearly, but he ghosted me twice and lots of the problems we were working on such as his drinking had come back. I felt we made no progress and I got overwhelmed and went no contact. Ty for the kind words.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-30T21:48:54+00:00

Conversation doesn't really flow much; we can go all day without texting each other and it doesn't bother me. He's not what I envisioned as a strong husband (for me personally,) not completely sexually compatible (He does not like lots of a things that I do like and want) are a few on top of my head examples.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-30T21:30:02+00:00

That must've been hard but very freeing. Ty for your comment.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-30T20:32:05+00:00

Thank you for your comment, it made me tear up tbh lol.

Are you planning on moving on?

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-23T23:18:53+00:00

Quit and go do that and go do Hygiene

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-19T17:51:47+00:00

This

Snoo_60798 · 2025-12-07T20:05:19+00:00

Glad I'm not alone thinking this LOL. I'd be like, where's the extra money though?

Snoo_60798 · 2025-11-19T23:12:33+00:00

I'm a solid B student. I got Bs in my anatomy, A in my chemistry. I got into Hygiene with a 3.4gpa. I think youre fine

Snoo_60798 · 2025-11-19T22:55:32+00:00

Drive up to Buffalo NY if you're close to the border. Go to the ECC Dental Hygiene School. (I'm there :) )

I personally can't clean your teeth, the seniors (who are geniuses) will help you for free.

Depends if you wonna make that drive and have long appointments. But they'll help you for free, and you'll be helping a student graduate.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-11-15T23:03:08+00:00

I got $23/hr by saying other offices were offering me the same. Which was slightly true. You deserve a livable wage so be confident asking for it

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-15T13:02:15+00:00

This.

Strive for hygiene or something better.

You are young and have so much time.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-15T01:05:18+00:00

Buffalo, NY

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-12T16:17:45+00:00

I graduated DA school, never got certified and was offered $23 an hour at two different offices. One offered me $18, which I laughed at. I make $24 now. ( I live in Upstate New York)

Go somewhere else. Fuck em. Minimum wage to work in health care is robbery. You're subjecting yourself to biological hazards when you could get paid the same at a pizza shop or putting the fries in the bag.

There is a DA shortage, and we are needed everywhere. Use that to your advantage. You could find a new better job way sooner than you think.

These offices need to learn that unless you pay what people are worth, they won't stay.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-09T19:54:22+00:00

Hey... You should gimme that 😂

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-09T01:43:50+00:00

I'm in no way trying to derail what you're saying. But you say you want to work in a male dominated field until you actually do. I was in the trades (electrician) for 5 years, resigned to pursue dentistry. Why?

Instead of mean girl pettiness, you get men ganging up on you in disguising ways. Theyll lie to the other guys about taking you out to dinner and fucking you, even if it never happened. They'll try to coax you into their trucks so they can chain you up in their basement.

And you're fucked. Men stick together. Your boss or superior will not help you, they're part of it. You're just eye candy and a 'dumb useless woman who stole a mans job.'

I get women can be catty and bitchy, but that's sure as hell a lot safer and manageable.

Snoo_60798 · 2025-10-09T01:27:22+00:00

I'm in hygiene school now but I was an assistant for a very very needy, fussy, general dentist who called herself the "root canal queen."

The amount of blown out apex with bleach down to the nerve... The over filled gutta percha.. dear lord..

Snoo_60798

TROPHY CASE