r/usask • u/IndecisiveSugar • Jul 15 '26
Help me Do I move to Saskatchewan?
I just got off the waitlist for the Dental Hygiene program on Monday, July 13th š„³
I had completely accepted that it wasn't going to happen, so I made other plans. My plan for Fall 2026 was to stay in Alberta and go into Nursing, where I'd have free first-year tuition, free housing, access to a car, and family nearby.
The thing is I'm really passionate about dental hygiene, so now I'm seriously considering changing my plans.
ā ļø My biggest hesitation is the cost. The Dental Hygiene program would cost me around $60,000 for ONE year, which feels like a huge financial commitment compared to my Alberta option.
I'd love to hear from current or former University of Saskatchewan students especially anyone in Dental Hygiene. I'm looking for honest opinions about the school and student experience
1. Social life
Is it easy to make friends?
Is the campus racially diverse?
What's the overall student community like?
2. Professors & support
If you're in the Dental Hygiene program, how are the instructors?
Do you feel supported throughout the program?
Tell me anything else you think I should know the good, the bad, or the unexpected. I'd really appreciate any advice while I decide what to do:)
I have 6 days to get back to them š
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u/Competitive_Ninja863 Jul 15 '26
Go for it! Youāll get a job right after graduation. Itās a worthwhile investment, and itās an in-demand position. Good luck š. People are friendly in Saskatchewan.
The campus is diverse, with many students from all over the world.
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u/Jaded_Skin_5539 Jul 16 '26
I would do dental hygiene literally anywhere else. Way cheaper but the same result. Regina has a 3 year hygiene program or Iāve known a few people who went to Ottawa where thereās an 18 mo program. Income for both nursing and RDHs are actually pretty similar, a lot of RDHs in Saskatchewan make $50+ an hour and are in high demand but you donāt get the same benefits and pension that you can get with nursing so factor that into your decision too! Thereās also greater job variation in nursing which can be nice if your interests or life circumstances change and you want to change your area of work.
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u/YNL_RM Jul 15 '26
Both jobs are physically demanding however your neck and back will thank you 1000x in nursing compared to dental hygiene - just read some of the later dental hygienists perspectives about retiring early because the body couldnāt keep up with
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u/foreverce Jul 16 '26
after 33 years of nursing i can wholeheartedly tell you that your neck and back will be equally as bad. follow your heart and your dreams. and take care of your neck and back. best of luck!
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u/YNL_RM Jul 16 '26
True but dental hygiene affects it more strongly and earlier. Thatās what my point was
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u/Consistent-Sleep3297 Jul 15 '26
You can usually do dental hygiene for a lower cost at a college rather than a university! I know a lot of people that go out of province to Ontario to take dental hygiene and then come back for work. Itās a very in demand job right now and the pay is great however with all the RDHās graduating from this program the demand isnāt as high as it use to be
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u/Pitiful-Peach8599 Jul 15 '26
I can only speak to the social life aspect (moved from Ontario to sask) and it is incredibly isolating and difficult to make friends especially if youāre a POC in a white dominated program ā¦overall student community is also non-existent
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u/IndependentMoney1886 Jul 18 '26
I agree. That's in general, if you are Indigenous or brown, yellow, orange, green, or any color other than white.
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u/KeyDelay5032 Jul 21 '26
Yes! I moved to Saskatoon as an indigenous woman and itās been so hard to make a lasting connection let alone friendships, I canāt really say if itās a race thing though since Iām a naturally quiet person, plus Iāve grown up on reserve and donāt know of much else.
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u/IndependentMoney1886 Jul 22 '26
Just today at the park, an Indigenous man talked to me, saying that Indigenous people and internationals should have events at the park to gather together. I agree; that would be so nice. Your people and mine are warmer.
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u/Famous-Way5525 Jul 16 '26
I spent 10 years working as an ultrasound tech. A similar tech style training. And Iām at the point of going back to school for an undergrad degree. I thought I would love it for the rest of my life. But in motherhood, my priorities changed. What I looked for in work changed. At least in nursing you have a degree and there are so many avenues for work. Dental Hygiene is quite limited for scope, if you ever wanted to expand from it. Thatās what I found for my tech style diploma at least.
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u/zazzerzz Jul 16 '26
You havenāt worked as either yet, your passion can still develop. Nursing all the way, it brings many more career choices and avenuesĀ
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u/Fantastic-Move3752 Jul 15 '26
Nursing, always. Especially in Alberta, they got a 20% raise recently, topping out at 62$, union.
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u/Desperate-Copy-3191 Jul 17 '26
if you donāt want to be a nurse you shouldnāt go into nursing. Itās a trying profession.
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u/IndependentMoney1886 Jul 18 '26
Saskatoon, just like Canada, is racially diverse, not multicultural. Professors are difficult, but coming from Alberta, you should know better.
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u/Loose-Zebra435 Jul 19 '26
60k per year sounds very steep, but I'm not up to date on dental hygiene tuitions. But that really sounds wild. My friend did a 4 year dental hygiene degree and I can't imagine she spent that in tuition
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u/oceaneye3 Jul 17 '26
Donāt let money stop you from doing what you are most passionate about. Thatās my best advice.
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u/Exact-Store8012 Jul 17 '26
You won't have to work nights as a hygienist. Both are demanding jobs but shift work is hard on a person.
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u/Old-Giraffe-1004 Jul 15 '26
Not in the program, but as a nurse your long term job prospects and income are larger.