Can a dental hygienist become a dentist?

First, a dental hygienist will need to acquire a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and then apply for a four-year doctoral program to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). To work as a dental hygienist requires an associate degree in dental hygiene and state licensure. Many dental hygienists, however, go on to earn a bachelor's degree to help advance their career and someday transition into becoming a dentist.

While working as a dental hygienist will definitely give you an advantage when becoming a dentist, it is still a difficult journey that involves getting into a competitive dental program and earning your doctorate. When applying to dental school, candidates usually take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) which qualifies them for certain programs.

Once you have completed the doctoral program, you then must get a license in your state by sitting for the American Dental Association's National Board Dental Examinations. Usually, this is the most common path that dental hygienists use to become fully-fledged dentists. Dentists also usually need to receive a passing grade on the state or regional clinical exam that applies to the location where they live and plan to work.