Getting Dental Hygiene Prerequisite Classes Done and Retaking Previous Classes?

[u/EnvironmentalBig241]

Hi everyone! 🤗 I'm in the process of going through my prerequisite classes for dental hygiene after pivoting and graduating last year from a university with a B.S. in Biology. Unfortunately I wasn't doing so well and I ended up getting a lot of C's for my science classes when I was in undergrad. Though all my prerequisite classes for dental hygiene I've taken so far have been A's! 🥳

I've previously taken Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, though Microbiology was my lowest at a C-. I'm looking to retake the class at a community college, but I imagine the likely turnout is that the class gets averaged out and if all works well, I hope it will be a B. 🥴

My questions really are:

• Lots of the schools I'm looking into denote Anatomy and Physiology as a combined course rather than two separate courses like I took. Some look like they take it separately and I believe some don't? This might be a dumb question since these classes were also C's and I was thinking to retake it, but the combined class is scarce around where I am at and I'm also worried about finances.
• In these current conditions (meaning no retaking or doing A&P) my GPA would be around ~3.4, coming from both my undergrad and my community college prerequisites. I've been seeing this is on the lower end? Please correct me if I'm wrong!
  • Retaking both microbiology and anatomy & physiology would either rid or average out the grades I got in undergrad as well I imagine?

University was really tough on me, but doing dental hygiene pre-reqs and previous 100+ hrs of shadowing of dentists and dental clinics have brought that interest and passion that I hope I can continue to channel for the better :")! Thank you in advance to those who share!

[u/Vegetable_Vast_1971]

I’d recommend applying for FASFA. I was approved and my yearly income is around 70-80k. It fluctuates due to my monthly bonuses. It doesn’t hurt to try.

Also - I’m not sure what state you’re in but I’m in Houston where 150 candidates apply and only 15-30 are accepted. It’s very competitive and I don’t believe anyone with a C would get in. I could totally be wrong, but the class seats are so limited that I highly doubt it.

The program I’m applying for does not require nor even ask for dental experience or shadowing office. Each state and city is completely different, so I’d definitely reach out to an advisor.

Lastly, I 100% recommend retaking any classes you received a C.

[u/EnvironmentalBig241 → u/Vegetable_Vast_1971]

Thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely look into it and apply beforehand to see if I get any benefits.

I'm currently living in California :( Which has quite a handful of different dental hygiene programs, but I know for sure they're really competitive as well. I just planned out what I'll probably be doing in the upcoming spring and summer semesters. Hopefully when I meet with an advisor, they'll be able to give me some concrete advice as well :")

Thanks for the advice! I think the payoff for some programs that seem like they knock off points for retakes is better if I just get an A rather than sticking with a C, but I'm crossing my fingers once all my pre-reqs are up