Do You Have To Be A Dental Assistant Before Dental Hygienist School?

Most of the time, you don’t need to be a dental assistant before becoming a dental hygienist. While some dental hygiene programs might prefer or even reward dental assisting experience during the admissions process, it’s not a requirement for most programs and won’t necessarily make you a better dental hygiene student.

To graduate as a dental hygienist, an associate degree or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene is essential—and dental assisting experience is usually not required, unless, again, it's part of the application process. Let’s dive into the details and debunk some common myths!

Does Dental Assisting Experience Help with Admissions?

Some dental hygiene programs might list dental assisting experience as a preference—or even use a point-based admissions system where it can give you an edge. If that’s the case, having dental assisting experience could boost your application. But here’s the thing: most dental hygiene programs are far more focused on academic prerequisites, like:

• Your grades (this is huge!).
• Specific coursework.
• Test scores.
• Extracurriculars.
• Personal statements.
• Interviews.

Applications for dental hygiene programs often require a significant amount of formal education, including specific coursework. But the bottom line? Always double-check the admissions requirements of the school(s) you’re applying to. Requirements can vary significantly between programs and states, so do your homework! If your intended school's application requires dental assisting experience, then consider gaining it. But if it’s not listed, don’t stress.

Will Being a Dental Assistant Make Hygiene School Easier?

Most of the time, no. Dental assisting and dental hygiene are two distinct career paths. Sure, there’s some overlap—you’ll be familiar with things like:

• Dental terminology.
• Tooth numbering.
• Basic clinical skills (e.g., taking X-rays or recognizing instrument names).

But here’s the catch: everything you need to succeed as a dental hygienist will be taught in hygiene school. In fact, some former assistants actually find it more challenging because they need to unlearn certain habits. For example, the way you were trained to take X-rays on the job might not match the way your hygiene school teaches it. As someone who was a dental assistant before dental hygiene school, I remember thinking, “I already know how to do this—why do I have to relearn it their way?” But trust me, you’ll adapt, just like I did!

Career Path and Advancement

Working as a dental assistant can be a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to enter the dental field, offering numerous opportunities for advancement and professional growth. With experience and additional education, dental assistants can go back to school to become dentists, dental hygienists, dental office managers, or even explore careers in dental sales. Some dental assistants choose to specialize in specific areas of dentistry, like orthodontics or pediatric dentistry, which can further enhance their career prospects.

Beyond career advancement, being a dental assistant can also bring a deep sense of personal fulfillment and job satisfaction. Dental assistants play a crucial role in patient care, often forming close relationships with patients and making a significant impact on their oral health and overall well-being. Many find it incredibly rewarding to work in a field where they can see the positive effects of their efforts firsthand.

What About After Dental Hygiene School Graduation?

Having dental assisting experience might help you feel more comfortable in a dental practice after you graduate from dental hygiene school. For instance:

• You might already know how dental offices operate in the “real world.”
• You may have better patient communication skills from working chairside.
• You could have an existing connection with a dental office that’s ready to hire you!

But even if you don’t have that experience, you’ll still get plenty of hands-on practice in hygiene school clinics. And don’t worry about finding a job—there’s currently a workforce shortage of dental hygienists, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities. (P.S. Check out our job board if you’re looking!)

Career Flexibility and Opportunities

One of the standout benefits of working as a dental assistant and/or a dental hygienist is the flexibility and variety the jobs offer. Dental assistants and hygienists can work in diverse settings, including private dental practices, hospitals, and community clinics. This variety allows them to gain experience with different types of patients, from children to adults, and participate in a wide range of dental procedures, from routine cleanings to more complex surgeries.

Additionally, many dental jobs enjoy flexible work schedules, with options for part-time or full-time hours. They may also have the opportunity to work in various locations, such as a traditional dental office or a mobile dental clinic, providing services to underserved communities. This flexibility and variety make becoming a dental assistant and/or a dental hygienist attractive options for those seeking a dynamic and adaptable career in the dental field.

Want to Gain Experience Without Being a Dental Assistant?

If your dental hygiene program doesn’t require dental assisting experience but you still want to familiarize yourself with the dental field, here are a few ideas:

• Shadow a dental office. Spend a day or two observing how the office flows.
• Volunteer or intern. Many offices welcome extra hands to help with sterilization or basic tasks.
• Work as a sterilization assistant. You’ll learn key skills like sterilization, patient documentation, and workflow organization.

If you’re considering becoming a full-fledged dental assistant, keep in mind that requirements vary by state. Some states require a Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) program, while others allow on-the-job training. Be sure to research what’s needed in your area. Most dental assistant programs offer a quick and cost-effective pathway to entering the dental field, often completed in around a year or less.

The Bottom Line

Unless your dental hygiene program says otherwise, you do NOT need to be a dental assistant to become a dental hygienist. Your success in hygiene school and beyond depends on meeting your intended program’s prerequisites, working hard, and trusting the process. Dental hygiene school is designed to teach you everything you need from the ground up, so you won’t be at a disadvantage if you weren’t an assistant first.

As a registered dental hygienist, you will have extensive experience and qualifications to provide high-quality patient care. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a dental hygienist, be sure to check out my free RDH video checklist—it’s packed with helpful tips for anyone considering this career, whether you’re in high school, college, or switching professions.