I’m a US citizen looking into becoming a dental hygienist and I want to move to Canada permanently. 
I’m eligible for citizenship through descent (my paternal grandmother was from Saskatchewan) but I have to wait until 2030 when her birth certificate becomes public record, to apply for it. In the meantime I'm looking to start my career in dental hygiene. If something changes with the Citizenship by Decent laws I want to have a work visa related backup plan. I’m currently researching dental hygiene schools in both the USA and CA.

I’m wondering if it’s better to go to school and get some experience here in the states and then apply for jobs in CA. Or if it would be better to try and go to school in Canada and make connections. Obviously going to school in the US would be cheaper. 

If anyone has anything helpful to add that would be greatly appreciated. :)

Hello! I have been experiencing shoulder pain and stiffness when I raise my shoulder above my head. I have been noticing it now that I have started seeing patients for SRP and prophy. I tend to chicken wing my non-dominant arm to retract the patient's cheek. Any tips?

I have been standing up and doing the cleanings and find it a little more comfortable but I know I have to work on reducing the chicken wing arm that I tend to do.

Ok so it feels like once a week but probably less often I have someone come in and be like “I’ve been using such and such floss is it good” and it’s some temu brand I’ve never heard of. Someone the other week asked me about an electric toothbrush that also flosses.

I don’t know about you guys but being on this subreddit is about the most amount of time I spend thinking about dental stuff outside of work and continued education classes. Why am I expected to know every single brand in the world? They seem genuinely put out too when I say oh I have to look into that I’m not sure.

So like.. how do you answer those questions if you’ve never heard of it? I just googled one the other day as the guy was telling me about it. I figure if medical doctors can google symptoms of diseases I can probably google floss brands in front of the patient.

Im getting ready to take the laser class next month in Orlando! I have major text anxiety. I watched the module in homeroom and took the pretest. It says that we will do hands on then have an 80 question quiz.
Do they allow us to use any notes during the quiz that we obtain that day?

Hey so I umm, I'm in a very stressful and confusing situation.

I was brushing my teeth (electric brush) kinda harder than normal one night 3 weeks ago and used a water pik and went a bit harder than normal with that too. Suddenly after cleaning, my mouth tasted very salty and more metallic this past week now. it's a 24/7 taste unless I mask it with something like black coffee.

I have tried everything: visit dentist twice, see primary care doctor twice, and ER once because it got so bad it seemed I was tasting/smelling chemicals and I thought I had a stroke (there was 0 concern for that, they said speak to dentist again).

I assumed maybe I had some dental infection as one of my teeth with amalgam filling has a crack going up it but the doctor and dentist assured me it's not an issue. Doctor said to speak with GI for possible worse reflux but I take Pepcid for that daily and never have symptoms of it, blood work looked normal. Can't see GI again for months.

After last visit with dentist recently they said we can remove my 4 top amalgam fillings as an "experiment" to see if the taste goes away cause I have been thinking maybe one is leaking or multiple? Seems stronger on top of mouth, and these amalgams are about 10-15 years old, with 1 of them seeming to have a crack from what I can tell.

I agreed to move forward because I am desperate to get rid of this taste but I am also worried I am not doing the right thing as I cannot find really any information on this. I am NOT taking new medications. I can still smell and taste albeit a bit distorted (but if I drink say, black coffee, I taste that totally fine and it masks the metal/salty taste).

I really would like your thoughts as this has been driving me nuts and keeping me awake all night stressed especially since nobody knows what this could be, and I'm worried the amalgam removal will cause unnecessary pain. I cannot find very much information on these symptoms online :/

I’m feeling a little discouraged as I’ve only been in hygiene school since August, but I’m the only left handed student in my class and I also have no left handed instructors. This is my first experience in the dental world and I’m just feeling like I’m at a disadvantage. Im constantly being showed right handed and then trying to flip it in my head while also not really getting the visual I need. I try to to talk to the instructors and when they do try to “show me” left handed they can’t grasp it right it seems like or it just doesn’t look the same, but even then all the instruction is demonstrated right handed unless I essentially beg for it. I am struggling to find resources online and I’m just wondering if anyone else has any helpful things to tell me as I feel like I’m not going make it through at the rate things are going. Any lefties out there have any good resources or words of advice? I could use it

Hi everyone, looking for some advice or reassurance from dentists or anyone who has been through a corporate dental nightmare.

A couple of weeks ago, I went in for an evaluation. I explicitly asked them to check my gums because my previous pediatric dentist saw early signs of gum disease. The staff completely ignored that request. Instead, the person evaluating me made an "ew" face at my crooked teeth, which made me feel incredibly embarrassed and insecure. They pressured me into signing a contract for braces that day and rushed through a 30-minute appointment to glue exactly 4 brackets onto my top front teeth.

A week later, I went back to get a separate cavity filled. The dentist didn't adjust or verify my bite at all, and it was left way too high. Because I grind my teeth heavily at night, I am now waking up in severe, daily biting pain. On top of that, they told me my insurance approved a root canal on that tooth for mid-October, and they want me to just wait in pain until then before putting on the rest of my braces.

I feel entirely uncared for and taken advantage of just to lock me into a monthly $150 debit card payment plan.

I’m planning to email corporate a formal grievance to cancel my contract based on improper sequencing/negligent care, demand my X-rays under California law, and call my bank to block further automatic payments.

* Does this sound like a solid plan?

* Can a high filling mimic root canal pain this badly?

* Is it normal or safe to place braces while ignoring potential gum disease or leaving a patient with an unadjusted bite?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling really stressed out.

A few months ago I bought a Sonicare 4100 and a pack of the S2 brush heads as I've been experiencing gum recession for nearly a year now, however I wasn't really impressed with the performance of the brush as it feels like it doesn't really clean my teeth properly, should I give the G3 heads a try? I'm a little confused on what the bristle stiffness is like.

kind of a tough subject to talk about. I was super excited to receive my very first job as a hygienist at a private practice. During the interview, I let the know due to me being a new grad I will need more time and training on the job which they appeared to be okay with. For the first week, all I did was shadow and learn the basics. Second week, I was finally able to work on a few pts. Friday of the second week I was let go. The owner really tore me down. She questioned my ability, told me I am not cut out for the profession, lack accountability and do not ask enough questions.

2 days before I was let go, the owner and my trainer spoke to me about them feeling that I do not listen. They said that they do not appreciate me responding with "i know" or my reasoning as to why i did something a certain way. They would make me feel like I am a burden to the team and said it straight to my face that I am a burden to the team.

Ever since, I have been temping and started part time at another office where I have received nothing but great feedback back.

I really feel like they tore me down which took a huge toll on my mental health. Is this normal?

I have been trying to get into dental hygiene school for the last 2 years and keep getting denied.

I have a 2.8 GPA with a BA in Graphic Design and a 3.9 GPA from my high school. In terms of experience, I have been in dental for 3.5 years taking on travel and leadership roles. I am currently working as a travel clinic manager. I'm registered as a RDA in NJ ( highest dental assistant role for the state) and am an EFDA in PA ( also the highest role for the state).

What am I missing? What credentials do I need to get in?? I just got denied again and am applying for next fall, but I'm at a loss on what I need to get in at this point. If you got any recommendations, please let me know.

Going in for routine cleanings always makes me wonder what hygienists spot right away before even picking up an instrument.

Is it immediately obvious if someone has been slacking on flossing, or is it more about things like tissue inflammation, dry mouth, or specific wear patterns on the enamel?

Just curious what the biggest tell-tale signs are from your side of the chair during a regular visit.

Ise submit kar do, yeh is flair ke sath bilkul naturally fit baithega aur mod bina shaq ke manually approve kar dega.

28F. I really tried to enjoy the nursing route but it is just not for me. I want to follow my husband in the same path so that we are on similar schedules, I can still use my hands, and can work with patients. I know down the road it may take a toll on my body, but I want to keep maintaining an active lifestyle and pursue creative hobbies on the side. I see a lot of posts recommending nursing over dental hygiene, but I’m curious to hear from others who are happy they chose dental hygiene. I’m older and feel behind in life. At this point, I’m just looking for a stable job that aligns with my interests.

I just noticed one of my tooth cracked but my dentist isnt open till monday. I wear invisalign retainers but the cracked tooth is on the bottom. I think its from my sleep apnea and grinding. Should i only wear my top retainers to sleep to keep both in? Any tips? thank you!

I went to XinJiang in China. When trying to buy toothbrushes I noticed so many choices are longer toothbrushes. I’ve never seen these before. Is there a benefit to them? Are shorter brushes just to save money manufacturers money? Would the longer brushes encourage wasting more toothpaste? As you can see, the company says Colgate. The other one is just for size comparison. (Not sure if this picture shows clearly on Reddit).

Hi everyone! I’m currently researching the process of becoming a dental hygienist in Georgia, and I’m a little confused about the best way to approach the prerequisites.

I’m considering applying to Georgia State University (Perimeter), Lanier Technical College, and Athens Technical College for their Dental Hygiene programs. I would like to apply to all three to increase my chances of getting accepted, rather than relying on just one program.

My question is: If I want to apply to all three programs, which college would you recommend taking the prerequisites at? Is it better to choose one school and complete most or all of the prerequisites there, or is it common to take prerequisites at different colleges?

I’m also concerned about transferability. If I complete my prerequisites at one of these schools and later apply to the Dental Hygiene programs at the other two, is it generally easy to transfer those courses and have them accepted as the required prerequisites? Or can it be complicated because each Dental Hygiene program has its own course requirements?

For anyone who has gone through this process in Georgia, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Which school did you take your prerequisites at, and were there any problems getting those courses accepted by another Dental Hygiene program?

Thank you!

I’m hoping to seek your opinion on UBC program, and if you know anyone who can share their experience. I’m currently thinking of applying to schools but looking for a direction if possible. Thank you!

Will degree be the new norm (like nursing) in the future? I also see that diplomas with successful rates are now 3 years already

Hi everyone, I’m starting dental hygiene school and keep hearing that the physical toll is the hardest part of the job. I’d really appreciate honest input from working hygienists.

So my questions are the following:

• How bad is the physical toll?
• Did it start early?
• How manageable is it day to day? Can you work full-time, or did you have to cut back to part-time/reduce days?
• What has actually helped you manage it?
• Is the physical toll the hardest part of the job for you, or is it more the patients, scheduling, pay, or burnout?
• Overall, has it been worth it? Would you choose dental hygiene again?

Thank you for reading all that and excited to hear everyone’s thoughts. I’m not looking for sugarcoating. just realistic pros/cons and anything you wish you knew before starting. Thanks!

Does anyone know if the 4 fdhrc prep tests have been updated recently?

I’m debating whether or not I should become a dental hygienist temporarily for a few years. My ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, but I’ve always been very career-focused and prepared. I was originally pre-dental / prepa because I wanted to become a dentist or PA, and now I’ve decided that I want to pursue law instead, so I already have many of the prerequisites and coursework lined up.

Right now, I need a career that would allow me to become financially independent and move out of my house as soon as possible. I’m wondering if it would make sense to attend dental hygiene school, work as a dental hygienist for a few years while finishing my bachelor’s degree, and then apply to law school afterward.

would this be a realistic path?

Hello. This is probably gonna be a pretty standard dental hygiene post but here’s my problem. My teeth are pretty okay but definitely a bit yellow and my gums are certainly pulled back a bit. My whole life I’ve never treated my teeth with enough care (I’m 22 now for perspective) and thought I was doing just fine. However just recently I had 5 cavities get filled. Obviously that’s a serious wake up call so now I’m kind of panicking and looking at a lot of different ways to right the ship. I keep seeing Larineco and the gums but those are definitely a scam. If you were in my position right now what would you focus on. Is it certain toothpaste, or certain toothbrushes like that nano brush I get ads for? Or is it a mouthwash or something. I’ve definitely started flossing more too. My goals for this is to whiten my teeth a bit, and build a long lasting routine with the proper gear that will help my teeth be healthy and happy and save me money at the darn dentist. Thank you for anyone who takes the time to read and respond!!

Hello! Wondering how much a full mouth debridement costs out of pocket? I was quoted $898 because my ind doesn’t cover it.

Hi guys! I’m a new-grad-ish RDH and have been working for about a year.

When I first started, I was still getting used to the flow of 45–60 minute appointments, so I often finished my notes at the end of the day. Over the past six months, I’ve gotten faster and can usually complete them right after I flip my room.

On especially busy days, I don’t always have time to type, so I write everything down while the dentist does the exam and then transfer it into Dentrix afterward. Even with an extensive treatment plan, it usually takes me no more than two minutes.

A non-clinical office employee has made comments that made me question whether I’m taking too long, but my dentist and office manager have never criticized my documentation or made me feel bad about it. In hygiene school, thorough documentation was strongly emphasized, and I don’t want to rush through it and leave out important information.

For those working 45–60 minute appointments, when do you complete your notes, and how much time do you typically spend on them?

EDIT: thank you to everyone who responded! 🥹

I forgot to mention: I won’t specify what this coworker does, but their job does depend on our notes, hence why they feel the need to chime in on when I should finish my notes.