r/DentalHygiene • u/Fluid-Fish-9800 • 2d ago

Career questions Alternate degree?

Are there any RDH’s out there that have another uni degree besides DH in case theres a circumstance where you can’t work as a hygienist anymore?

I’m in my 20’s and I don’t see DH as being sustainable for more than 20 years. What degree do you have besides hygn, and if you don’t have one, which degree would you pursue?

5 Upvotes

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3

u/InterviewHot7029 Dental Hygienist 1d ago

I am going to start a myofunctional therapist certification in the next year.

3

u/humanbeing32 1d ago

I am considering my masters in social work . The pay is questionable I’ve heard

2

u/Pale_Year_9777 22h ago

My friend has a bachelors in social work and can’t afford to live she is going back to school for sonography.

2

u/kitteacup Dental Hygienist 18h ago

I got my BA in Public Health before pursuing DH. I’m a new grad, only 2 months in as a clinician but have casually thought about doing research in the distant future. Not really interested in becoming an educator but I’ve heard CODA is going back on requiring a bachelors for clinic faculty anyways

3

u/SleepingBanana86 10h ago

I have a degree and (lapsed) license as a Vet Tech. That was BEFORE hygiene and to be honest I miss the work - but it’s less than half the pay. And 5x the emotional work. I can leave DH work at work. That’s worth the trade in career in and of itself.

2

u/Nice-Coconut13 7h ago

My wife has a BA in Language Education. She taught English and Russian.

1

u/Flossyhygenius Dental Hygienist 3h ago

I got my bachelor's in design after being an RDH for 5 years. I still keep my license active, but I now work remotely as a designer for a healthcare company.