🦷 Want to become a dental hygienist? Watch my free RDH Video Checklist: bit.ly/rdh-video-checklist

Thank you! I’m currently taking prerequisites. I can’t wait to become a hygienist!

Pros: good money, you decide your schedule, can be part time if have kids. Cons: patients will give you a hard time if they never seen you before, high demanding, you could cry a lot if you did not find a good office. The job is hard on your body mentally physically. I go home some days and my tank is empty.

This seems like such a good job for me. Right now I'm currently working as a grocery pickup associate at a large chain, and this seems like SUCH a better way to make a living wage and give me the flexibility to pursue other things I'm passionate about, like my art, or have a family.

Thank you! I’m a high school senior, butttt I really want to do this as my career, the insight is really helpful!❤️

Senior year of dental hygiene school right hereeeee! OMGGGG I am SO ready to graduate! I was a dental assistant for 5 years for an oral surgery and let me tell you.....I AM SO READY TO WORK ALONE! (obviously a hygienist doesn't work completely alone, I know they still work with dental assistants, dentists, front desk receptionists, etc.) Don't get me wrong, I can work in a team, BUT it takes a toll on you when your "team" isn't working as a TEAM. I worked with a group of women who were.....let's say...doing the BARE MINIMUM as much as possible. I love going above and beyond, but I CANNOT CARRY THE WHOLE TEAM BY MYSELF ALL THE TIME. This is what really pushed me to go back to school to become a dental hygienist. I knew this was my end goal but I got too comfortable working as a dental assistant at that oral surgery. Let's just say, DON'T SETTLE! I cannot wait to officially become an RDH! :D

Awesome video! And I love your positivity! I wish I had looked more into this field when I was younger. I got my bachelors degree in healthcare administration and currently work on the financial side of healthcare. I’m considering doing dental hygiene because I miss working more with my hands and interacting with more people. I also have a passion for dental hygiene (I’ve never had a cavity in my life😂) It’s encouraging to hear you were able to go from a bachelors degree to the dental hygiene program as I know it’s normally an AAS degree.

Loved this video! As a student RDH, i was watching this like “ohh Noo she’s about to drop some bombs 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️” but all of your pros were reassuring and all of your cons, i already knew and even don’t have an issue with most haha. Great video!!

Thank you for making such positive, educational and short videos that get right to the point! Really appreciate being able to watch and learn from all of these! ✌️💜 🦷

You seem to really love your job! I’m hoping to start dental hygienist school soon, the medical field has always fascinated me but I’ve recently discovered my love for oral health

Hi Whitney again! First off let me start by saying as a future DH and current DA, your right every job has their pros and cons. I feel that people who are more on the independent side will enjoy DH better because of the freedom you get! I do believe it is a repetitive job, but not everyone's mouth is the same! Keep up with your videos I truly enjoy watching them to compare my experiences I currently face haha!

Thanks for your video. I'm a single mom working as RDA and taking pre-reqs for dental hygiene, hoping and praying to finish my classes next year and start applying for the program. This video is very helpful and important to know the pros and cons in this field.

I’ve been doing dental Hygiene for 8 years now, I’m in my late 30’s and have had several different jobs before this: nanny, tutor, dog walker/pet sitter, worked in a restaurant for 7 years, coffe shop for 2 years. I worked for a couple different dental offices part time as i had a hard time finding a dental office that would higher a new grad for full time. Then i was a temporary float for 4 years full time. I really liked every part of it. The “worst” part was that the dental patients would ask “do you like temping? Wouldn’t you want to be at an office?” This bothered me because I really liked temping. I got so many positive affirmations because the office needed help and i got to help them.I often returned to offices and enjoyed seeing team members I remembered and in some cases (not often) i would see a patient I’ve seen before and this was kind of cool. I got to see their progress. Then I worked for the same office for 2 years hit I temped there for 2 years prior. I really loved being their because the dentist was a good friend of mine. And we had a good work relationship. The hardest part of leaving a dental office would be that there are some patients you get to know and you can’t take them with you. However, working less or even temping you can work when you want and do something fun for you on the off days. I’ve had left shoulder pain that is pretty constant now for one year. So working part time is very beneficial for this to get better and heal. Part of this I’m sure got worse when I had stopped going to the gym and during some of those times when I didn’t eat very healthy and there are other times when you just don’t get a lunch because you’re so busy with notes, a patient has more concerns, the dentist and their side is running behind.. oh there are so many reasons. But typically what most people can make in 5 days a dental hygienist can make in 2-3 days depending on the city and state they live in. I would say that if you take care of your body and get massages, practice physical therapy like working out and stretching, see a good chiropractor that works alongside physical therapists, and eat healthy. You could be in this field for a long time. Or keep up with continuing education credits + keep your license up to date, then you could have a family and come back to dental for a little bit or stay in the field until you retire. The benefits are good at most offices and often there is the perk of a really good discount on dental and you only have to pay the lab fee or pay for materials.

This video honestly helped me even though I’m interested in dentistry! Love this so much because It even helped me. Thank you ☺️

Thank you for the info. I love all your videos very informational. I'm considering a career change into dental hygiene and I most agree that every career has pros and cons and as an EMT there's more cons than pros.

I’m super interested in doing dental hygiene as a career. I came across your channel very recently and I love how positive you are. Thank you so much for sharing! It’s making me more confident that this could be a real career for me❤️

I love your positivity. I'm applying for the program at my school this December 😬 your videos really reassured me this is what I wanna do :)

I'm So glad I found an RDH on good old KZfaq! I've come to realize YT is a good source for someone like myself who is on the fence about career paths. I'm weighing my options between becoming an registered nurse and dental hygienist. I want to do something in the health field, but I can't put my finger on what to do. Thanks so much or your informative videos.

Right on point!! I’m an artist and dental hygienists, I only contact as a temp now and this allows me to integrate my creativity into my hygiene practice. 🙌🏽 🤷🏾‍♀️ You make some fantastic points!

Thank you so much for this video! I’m a current assistant and this is exactly what I needed to hear! I asked the hygienist at my office and they gave me one or two answers and this is more in depth and has made me confirm that this is the path I want! Thank you thank you!

I am a CDA who is going back to school to take my prerequisites for Dental Hygiene and I love the idea of monotony. Working as a DA I do not like being so stressed going from a implant to a consult to a restoration, it stressed me out. I love you know what you’re doing everyday and you can do it well!

Hi, I love you and your videos. I'm not wanting to be a hygenest(I would love to be an actor) , but I love watching tho. You are awesome and you seem to have a great relationship with all the other staff and people you work with, which is great! Don't ever stop being you and stay safe! xxxxxxx

this was very much needed thank you !❤️

I’m interested in being a dental hygienist so I did some research to make sure if this is something I want to do long term and at the same time also pays good. I thought after watching this video I would no longer be interested but I got complete opposite, in fact it seems I would actually enjoy this field and the cons are not so bad comparing the Veterinarian Field, and I was expecting worse but instead got a HUGE relief. thank you for sharing! This actually helped me want to continue to be a Dental hygienist❤

You make dental hygienist sound like a good azz job the con ain’t even cons fr💯

i just applied for the dental hygiene program. I pray I get in. Thank you for this video!!

I have been a hygienist for 18 years. This definitely takes a toll on your body. This year I needed surgery on my left shoulder...I do exercise, but nothing crazy. About 2 years ago I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder.. .and I put off seeing the doctor. I needed a shoulder debridement, bone spur removal and bicep tendon detach, and reattach. Don't know what exactly caused this...but I assume years of hygiene. But good new is 2months off and physical therapy I'm able to work again!

I just got into DH school, I start in August! I just found your channel and I’ve been binging. I’m sooo excited to start the program 💗

Hi! I’m currently a Dental Student in the Philippines🙂 Watching your videos makes me smile❤️

I have been a hygienist for over 10 years in Canada. I definitely agree with those pros. Helping people everyday is so rewarding, especially when you get to see results of their oral health improve. The cons however can be a burden. The stress of taking a sick day is definitely one of them. Another, thinking over long term is not having any benefits. VERY FEW offices will offer any health benefits (besides dental benefits of course) or retirement savings options. Another issue is (I agree) body breakdown. Now since the pandemic in Canada not all offices are equipped to be allowed to use cavitron ( or our power tools) so everything is done by hand...ALL day. It is very stressful on the hands and body. Although there are some cons, all jobs have them. And dental hygiene is a rewarding and respectable career.

I love you so much the way you share you stories

Thank you SO much for this video! Vey useful!!

I am starting a hygiene program in August and I’m wondering if you could do a video over how to find patients for class? I love your content!

Thanks .U really made my decision clear to study dental hygiene in college

Love you Whitney!! I am going to school to become a dental assistant and then I hope to get a degree as a dental hygienist. I currently intern at a dental office, just love the atmosphere!

Whitney, I would be very interested in seeing a video discussing treating patients that need SRP. I see mostly regular prophy patients at my office, and I feel like I need a refresher. Saying that, I haven't gotten the chance to do local anesthesia, and I REALLY would love a video all about that. ❤

Very good talker brilliant video thank you very much.

Thank you for sharing, I am a certified EFDA, but worked in ortho, I moved to Houston where EFDA isn’t high demand or competitive pay, so now I’m looking into hygiene school, I’m so nervous but I know I got this!!!

I am actually a dental hygienist specialised in geriatrics in the Netherlands. I drive around the whole country to see patients with dementia in elderly homes. I actually work from home once a week since we have lots of admin! I also have a leading role within the business and need to make lots of calls, send emails and have online meetings. So it IS possible to partly work from home.

This helped a lot! I was on the fence about two jobs and decided I want to be a dental hygienist!

This was great! Best KZfaq video! Straight forward and informative

Thank you!! This video was very helpful. Im a dental assistant looking to moving forward.

I immediately fell into a full-time position with benefits and that I even qualify for overtime should I choose to take it straight out of school as a hygienist and I love it! I absolutely love this job I love my patients and I love the doctors that I work for my coworkers are so great and I absolutely love how I'm helping people everyday with my job! Even on hard days that were really rough I know when I go home that I help somebody that day! I will say that I would like to do some temp work but until I can afford out-of-pocket insurance I don't know if I can do that. And you do really have to commit to a regular regimen of getting massages or seeing a chiropractor for back pain

Going to school to become a dental hygienist in the spring I’m super excited and nervous and trying to learn more about the profession and what is expected!

this makes me excited to start :)

Hey, so I've been looking into dental hygiene and have talked to several dental hygenist. These people I talked to seemed to be "trying" to talk me out of it but honestly the more I look into it the more interested I become. As you said in your cons list here the body breakdown is what worries me the most. Can you do a video of the good body mechanics that you do? What about body up keep? Like massage or any of those things? I would be very interested in how you and other hygenist fight body break down since the hygenist that I have talked to told me the average dental hygenist only works 10 - 15 years becuase it's so hard on the body. Thanks so much! I absolutely love your videos and I'm so not letting these people talk me out of this becuase the more I learn the more I fall in love with this profession.

You help me with my fear of dentists etc 😭 And did you know that I recognised your voice from when I was in a coma? And then some time later, I thought your voice sounded familiar. And now I’m watching all your video 😄🤩💖

Wen working wiv kids I had to take activity plans and reports home. The onli thing I can fink of taking home is treatment plans. I’ve had dentists see foods on my teeth that isn’t healthy as I ate the food on the way to the dentist. They discussed the cons of that food for my whole body. I was thankful.

Wow, to be honest I really want to be a dental hygienist..... Greetings from Mexico!

I am currently in my first year of DH school and I am so so so happy I decided to follow my passion and go for it. I will admit though, it is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through, but I know it is going to be so worth it when I graduate. I was a dental assistant for less than a year before getting into school, and I did not like it. I am so looking forward to the freedom of working pretty much by myself most of the time and actually helping patients PREVENT cavities and periodontal disease and any other serious oral health conditions. My health philosophy in general is prevention, not letting health problems arise and/or treating health problems in the early stages so they don't progress, and maybe even reverse them. Also, the other dental assistants I worked with always scoffed at my ambitions to become a dental hygienist, because they don't like the monotony of dental hygiene. But I actually think they are just jealous that I have taken the steps and am working hard to become a hygienist when they might not be able to, or the stage they're in in their lives makes it almost impossible to leave dental assisting and get a different career. They complained a lot about the dental assisting career but I think they feel like they can't get out.

Your pros got me but your cons backed me up again... That's a hard one.

***Must mention the con of running by the clock! I often feel like there isn’t enough time for some people and depending on the office, they expect/want more than is reasonable in the time allotted... plus running behind all day is stressful. I find the clock to be the worst part of my job... even though I still love what I do ❤️

I can't wait for u to get 60k to 100k subscribers I'm so so happy

am a biotechnology student am going to double my major after this video to be dental hygienist ,thank you for the info

I know this video discusses pros and cons of being a dental hygienist but i wanted to bring up the vast difference in pay. Of course pay will differ based on where you live, education and all that but in my town, as a dental assistant i make $17/hr. I have met other dental assistants that make up to $25 after many years. Workers at the local costco make about $25/hr and more. I feel like dental assistant pay isn't going up even though cost of living has gone up over the years. Maybe it's just in my area but i am not sure. At my current office i get paid $17/hr and the hygienist makes at the very minimum $60/hr. On a daily basis we do about 80% of the same work. We do all the start of day things, take xrays, do prophys, break down rooms. I have noticed this at other offices as well. I have been a hygiene assistant in the past for a few years as well and i was always stumped at how much of a difference in pay there. I am looking into going into the dental Hygiene program and i would recommend it for anyone looking into it as well. I love working with patients, being super busy, and after you get used to it, the tasks are pretty easy. I am 35 years old and honestly wish i had started when i was younger. The big pay bump makes all the hard days worth it!

Great video❤️

I want to become a dentist so bad. Dentistry is amazing.

Im a career hygienist of over 20 years. In the past being a dental hygienist was a prestigious job. Due to dentistry moving into a more corporate direction that has all changed not only for Hygienist but for dentist as well. In a private practice I would see about eight patients a day but private practices are quickly disappearing. New corporate offices are wanting Hygienist to see as many as 16 patients a day which is utterly ridiculous, even if all you’re doing is just cleaning the teeth and Assistants are doing everything else. Hygiene is a very physically demanding job, in your young years it won’t be so bad but sitting in one position twisted to one side leaning over and holding that for 30 minutes at a time is very hard on a persons body and you will quickly start to have some sort of physical issues. I know this because I have lots of friends who are Hygienist who are experiencing all types of neck, back and shoulder problems. Also you are treated with zero respect it is more like a Cattlecall , herd them in and heard them out . I know offices that don’t even take lunch breaks. Can you imagine going to college as a dentist or dental hygienist and you’re working like somebody in a sweatshop instead of having any prestige that your education should demand? I am not bitter I was lucky to get in and out of the career at the right time but I would no longer recommend it to anyone.

Hi there! Just discovered your channel and I LOVE it, thank you for sharing all this amazing content. I'm 29 and work a corporate job at a desk all day and REALLY want to change my career. I'm thinking about a career as a dental hygienist since this is something I've always been interested in but somehow never actually tried to do. Is it too late? Do you have to start at young age in order to make this a reality?

Very helpful thank u

Thank you❣

Thanks, so interesting

Thanks for the video. The only part that scares me is the body breakdown

Have you ever done any temp work? I’m a second year dental hygiene student and I was thinking of temping once done with school to see what offices I like best, but I also considered going full time temp. What are your thoughts?

Great video. Your teeth are amazing, I guess they'd need to be in your line of work, but they are beautiful.

Im thinking about taking 2 years of dental hygienist in NoVA college

Hi Whitney, I am working in two different offices for one dentist. It’s been a longggg time since I worked in dental office. I was a dental hygienist when we wrote our notes in a paper file. But, now I have two systems to learn to write my notes in. One in Practiceworks and the other is dentrix. I am loosing my mind. I thought maybe a video in different computer software systems with how to write notes ( using a template) and how to take bitewings and fmx with different systems. Thank you for listening. Thank thank you

Hi! Do you start of at a higher salary if you have a pre existing bachelors degree like psychology? I’m in my first year of Dental Hygiene school! It’s been crazy learning to work in this field during a pandemic. 🙃🦷 Love your channel by the way!

Great video

There is also employment with the military. I was an assistant on active duty then became a dental hygienist for the military as a civilian. 20 Years in total 😃

I'm in an event management program but pandemic is making me look where there is continuous money flow 👀 but I also work in retail I can only imagine the wild types of clients you may get 🤔💭💭

you got a new subscriber today. :)

I'm currently in my 3rd year doing dental hygiene and therapy after working as a nurse for 2 years and I defo agree with most of your pros and cons. I'm curious about the screening for sleep apnea? I didn't know that was a thing

I love being RDH 💙💙💙 I do not love not having any scheduled breaks... and no benefits.

how often do you work part time? is it 20 hours at least? do you get paid even if. a patient doesn’t show up or are you forced to clock out?

Just got my cleaned today heck yea

I just got accepted into a dental hygiene program!! I’m so excited!

I'm starting my dental assistant courses soon. I really want to be a hygienist, but it isn't offered where I'm going. Do you think there could be bridge programs between the two?

I’m about to go to SJVC college for an associate degree in this field hopefully it’s worth it !!!

Last office I was at they schedulef 25-28 patients per day for the RDH. I'll bet you are doing 8-10.

I have a question about the license that you were speaking of (I’m still in school but this job highly interests me). If I do plan to work elsewhere, different state from my current residence, can I finish my schooling in one state and then go for the license in another? Or would I need to move there to study before I finish my schooling to get my license in that state. Like college and after college programs before getting the license.

Finished my pre's in Dec 2019.

Can you do a video more in-depth about license transfers?

Thank. You

Thank you kindly

Do you know any information regarding international details? For example, I am interested in pursuing dental hygiene but I am also really interested in traveling and some day living in a different country besides America. Do you think becoming a dental hygienist could accommodate to this goal of mine since mouth care is a common and worldly thing ?

Good afternoon everyone from wellington Somerset in the UK

You can screen for sleep apnea

so i’m a senior in college with a major in communications and always wanted to work in some kind of healthcare but i really want to go to graduate school of dental hygiene ..

I’m 19 and I already have bad back problems and I’ve never even worked

I’m more concerned if I have to deal with needles and stitches

hi whitney! are dental hygienists drug tested pre-employment or randomly during work? thanks!

I am thinking about going into dental hygiene but I already have lower back problems and I’m worried about the body breakdown

I just got accepted into my DH program after 4 years and the course work is killing me. Any advice?

Currently in HS and looking into becoming a hygienist but I also want to open a business later on lol

I’m a senior in high school in high school I graduate in acouple weeks and I still don’t know what ima do with my life but this kinda making me interested

I'm working on a associate's degree in college is that enough to become a dental hygienist? Will I have to do additional schooling after college?

Question about the part time portion. Are there still opportunities to get health insurance with part time? And are most hygienists salary or hourly?

Kind of feel weird with all the amount of women in the comments while i'm the only guy from what I can see 😂 currently doing my general eds/prereqs. hoping to join the DH program next year! By the way I really like your content. Along with doing my own research, I can honestly say you've inspired and encouraged me to pursue this as my career choice. Thank you! 😬

So here's the thing, I'm a psychology major senior year and I'm realizing that psychology just isn't for me. Do you know if I can apply my credits towards a dental hygenist program? I don't have the best grades either. Thanks!