Is Dental Hygiene School Harder Than Nursing School? A Comprehensive Comparison
Healthcare is a growing field with increasing demand for qualified professionals. Both dental hygiene and nursing offer stable, rewarding careers with excellent job prospects. But which program is more rigorous?
This in-depth guide will compare dental hygiene and nursing courses, training requirements, exams, and career paths. With insights from admissions counselors and program directors, along with detailed statistics, you‘ll get a complete picture of the time commitment, academic challenges, and earning potential of each pathway.
The Growing Need for Healthcare Professionals
First, it‘s important to understand the context behind the rise in dental hygiene and nursing programs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for dental hygienists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than average for all occupations. Registered nursing jobs are expected to increase 6 percent in the same timeframe.
This high demand is driven by our aging population needing more medical care, advances in healthcare extending lifespans, and a focus on preventative care and medicine. Let‘s delve into how dental hygiene and nursing programs equip students for these growing careers.
Comparing Admission Requirements
Admission to both dental hygiene and nursing schools can be competitive, with each program having prerequisites and minimum GPAs.
Dental Hygiene Requirements
Most dental hygiene programs require students have at least a high school diploma or GED, along with courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and psychology. For example:
- Pima Medical Institute requires biology, chemistry with lab, algebra, and English.
- Darton State College asks for biology, chemistry, psychology, English, and algebra.
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry expects biology with lab, chemistry with lab, anatomy, microbiology, psychology, English composition, and sociology.
Many also recommend or require anatomy, physiology, microbiology, organic chemistry, and communication classes. Common admission tests include the Dental Hygiene Admissions Assessment (DHAA) or the American Dental Association‘s Dental Hygiene Aptitude Test. Interviews and dexterity tests are also frequent requirements.
| Program | GPA | Tests | Prereqs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Medical Institute | 2.5 min | DHAA | Biology, chem, algebra, English |
| Darton State College | 2.7 min | DHAA | Biology, chem, psychology, English, algebra |
| U Michigan Dentistry | 3.2 min | DHAT | Bio w/ lab, chem w/ lab, anatomy, microbio, psych, English, sociology |
Organic chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy frequently pose challenges for aspiring dental hygienists without healthcare backgrounds. Thoroughly reviewing fundamentals before applying can help strengthen areas of weakness.
Nursing Requirements
Nursing programs also require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Common prerequisites are biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and English composition. Standardized tests like the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) are usually required.
For example, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing expects anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, English, and statistics. Seattle University asks for anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, English composition, and lifespan developmental psychology.
| Program | GPA | Tests | Prereqs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins Nursing | 3.0 min | TEAS | Anatomy, physiology, chem, microbio, psych, English, statistics |
| Seattle University Nursing | 3.0 min | TEAS | Anatomy, physiology, chem, microbio, psych, English, lifespan psych |
The broad range of science prerequisites can be challenging for some applicants. Taking refresher courses at a community college is an effective way to prepare for nursing admissions.
Ultimately, both programs require strong performances in science and math courses. Nursing may have a slightly wider range of prerequisites, while dental hygiene emphasizes oral health and dexterity strengths. Committing to academic excellence from the start is key for either path.
Comparing Curriculums and Coursework
Once admitted, students can expect rigorous course loads preparing them for clinical work.
Dental Hygiene Courses
Dental hygiene curriculums focus on oral healthcare and include both didactic and clinical components. Typical courses are:
- Dental anatomy and embryology
- Histology and pathology
- Pharmacology
- Radiology
- Periodontology
- Pain management
- Dental materials
- Ethics and jurisprudence
- Dental hygiene theory and practice
Students gain extensive knowledge about oral anatomy, dental diseases, x-ray techniques, and cleaning procedures. Textbooks like Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice by Michele Darby can be hundreds of pages long with detailed diagrams and complex concepts.
Developing the psychomotor skills needed to carefully maneuver tools in patients‘ mouths while avoiding harm requires consistent practice and hand-eye coordination. The average program is 6 semesters, with graduates completing around 3,000 hours of instruction and clinical experience, according to the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Nursing Courses
Standard nursing curriculum encompasses a broader range of healthcare topics along with hands-on training:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Chemistry and microbiology
- Psychology and communication
- Nutrition and diet therapy
- Medical/surgical nursing
- Pediatric and OB/GYN nursing
- Psychiatric and critical care nursing
Nurses need familiarity with many body systems, disease processes, medications, and interventions to handle diverse patients. Critical thinking and decision making are crucial to provide safe care.
For instance, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing notes students complete over 1,000 clinical practicum hours during their program. Textbooks like Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care by Ignatavicius weigh in at nearly 1,500 pages.
Managing medication dosage calculations, high-pressure interventions, and patient education requires diligent preparation. Most programs take 4-5 semesters to complete.
Course Difficulty Comparison
Both curriculums demand heavy course loads and study hours outside the classroom. However, most educators agree dental hygiene coursework is more focused and academically rigorous.
Susan Smith, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Baker College, explains:
Mastering the intricacies of periodontology along with proper clinical techniques requires intense memorization and repeated practice. Students‘ abilities to synthesize their knowledge and demonstrate skill proficiency are tested daily.
Comparatively, nursing programs cover more broad-based competencies with a wider variety of situations nurses may encounter in medical facilities, primary care, etc. Marie Owens, Associate Dean at the UCLA School of Nursing, notes:
Nursing students have long days balancing lectures, simulations, writing care plans, and clinical rotations in different departments. Managing the sheer breadth of knowledge required for safe patient care is very demanding.
Ultimately, both paths involve heavy workloads and high-pressure responsibilities. Dental hygiene may require more defined technical expertise, while nursing involves more adaptable decision making across care settings.
Hands-On Clinical Training
Clinical training is core to the curriculum in both dental hygiene and nursing programs.
Dental Hygiene Clinicals
Dental hygiene students get intensive clinical experience starting early in their programs. Susan Smith describes a typical day:
Under the watchful eyes of instructors, students begin practicing basic skills like dental exam procedures, prophylaxis, x-rays, and fluoride treatments first on teaching mannequins and classmates. Within a few months, they advance to treating real patients while receiving feedback.
Most schools partner with local dentist offices, clinics, and hospitals to provide supervised clinical time where students manage 8-10 patients per day. This hands-on repetition develops key skills in preparation for licensing exams and careers.
By graduation, dental hygiene students will have conducted regular consultations, cleanings, periodontal assessments, sealant placements, and radiographic imaging on a diverse patient population. They learn how to tailor care plans, explain aftercare, and address patient questions – critical communication abilities.
Nursing Clinicals
Nursing students also begin clinical rotations starting in their first year. Marie Owens explains:
After mastering fundamentals in the simulation lab, students are placed on medical-surgical floors, labor and delivery units, pediatric departments, intensive care, psychiatric wings, operating rooms, and other specialized areas matching their interests.
These supervised experiences help nurses-in-training build clinical judgement as they care for patients with varying diagnoses and needs. A day may involve bathing, feeding, assessing, documenting, administering medications, changing dressings, and more.
By completing rotations through diverse departments, graduates gain wider perspectives to provide compassionate, informed care. Most programs far exceed the minimum 750 clinical hours required by state boards.
Key Differences
Both dental hygiene and nursing students receive extensive real-world training under licensed professionals‘ guidance. However, there are some key variances:
- Setting: Dental hygienists primarily practice in dental clinics and offices. Nurses work in numerous medical environments.
- Technical Skills: Dental hygiene requires extreme precision and dexterity for oral procedures. Nursing allows some wider room for error in most skills like IVs or injections.
- Patient Interaction: Dental hygiene interactions are typically shorter appointments focused on oral health. Nurses develop longer-term relationships with patients during hospitalizations or ongoing care.
- Procedures: Dental hygienists perform a consistent set of dental assessments and cleaning protocols. Nurses provide an array of generalized care depending on department and patient needs.
The focused setting of dental clinics versus diverse medical environments makes dental hygiene clinicals highly specialized with less margin for error in repetitive techniques. Both involve heavy responsibilities under close oversight.
Licensure Examinations
Upon completing their program, all graduates must pass rigorous licensure examinations before practicing.
Dental Hygiene Exams
To become a registered dental hygienist, candidates must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) and a state or regional clinical licensing exam.
The computer-based NBDHE consists of 350 multiple choice questions testing students‘ grasp of dental sciences and hygiene. Pass rates average around 85%.
State/regional exams like the CRDTS (Central Regional Dental Testing Service) exam then evaluate clinical skills through live patient demonstrations, mannequin procedures, and x-rays. Fees total $1600 on average.
Susan Smith notes:
Mastery of detailed dental anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and radiographic principles is required for the NBDHE. Dexterity and steadiness under pressure are demanded for state licensing exams observed by several examiners. It takes diligent preparation.
Nursing Exams
For registered nursing licensure, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is required nationally. This computer adaptive test tailors questions based on individual ability, with a minimum of 75 and maximum of 265 questions. Pass rates average around 88%.
Marie Owens advises:
The rigorous NCLEX-RN covers the broad spectrum of nursing knowledge and best practices for safe care. Critical thinking and analysis are essential to integrate concepts and make sound clinical judgments within the exam‘s time constraints and adaptive format. Thorough content review and practice questions are extremely helpful.
Both culminating exams require deep knowledge and measured performance under pressure from students. While the NBDHE may be more content-focused, the NCLEX-RN simulates realistic clinical reasoning in a demanding atmosphere.
Career Prospects and Salaries
Once licensed, both nurses and dental hygienists enjoy excellent career prospects and salaries.
Dental Hygiene Outlook
As mentioned previously, dental hygienist roles are projected to grow 7% over the next decade, faster than average.
Median annual salaries for dental hygienists were $77,950 in 2021 per the BLS, with top earners exceeding $102,000. Opportunities span private practices, hospitals, schools, and corporate wellness clinics, often allowing flexible scheduling.
With experience, dental hygienists can advance into office management, teaching, sales, or research positions. Specializations like forensic odontology also exist for niche interests.
Nursing Outlook
The nursing field is projected to expand 6% by 2031 as baby boomers age and healthcare needs increase. The BLS reports median nurses‘ salaries were $77,600 in 2021, with potential to reach $106,000 in leadership or advanced practice nursing.
Nurses enjoy diverse career paths from labor and delivery units to emergency rooms, pediatrics, oncology, psychiatry, and more. Further education can also qualify nurses for nurse practitioner and other advanced roles.
Ultimately, both professions offer stable employment prospects and high earning potential. Dental hygienists may see slightly faster job growth and higher starting salaries. But nurses have more departmental options and advancement opportunities.
Key Takeaways: Choosing the Right Path
In evaluating whether dental hygiene or nursing is "harder," both require significant dedication in a challenging yet rewarding healthcare field. Some key takeaways:
Admissions: Dental hygiene prerequisites emphasize sciences related to oral anatomy and health. Nursing asks for broader biology, chemistry, and psychology courses. Both expect above-average academics.
Coursework: Dental hygiene courses focus deeply on oral health disciplines. Nursing covers more generalized health topics to prepare for diverse patients and environments. Dental hygiene texts and memorization loads may be more intensive.
Clinicals: Dental hygienists develop specialized techniques in dental office settings. Nurses practice broader skills in varied medical departments. Both involve extensive patient interaction and care.
Licensing: Passing the NBDHE and state/regional exams requires mastery of dental hygiene knowledge and skills. The NCLEX-RN tests clinical judgment in realistic, adaptive scenarios.
Careers: Dental hygienists earn slightly higher salaries with fast job growth concentrated in dental practices. Nurses garner moderate growth distributed across more healthcare settings with more advancement potential.
As you consider these rigorous but fulfilling medical paths, reflect on your abilities, interests, and professional aspirations. With passion and diligence, you can attain success in either dental hygiene or nursing. The healthcare field needs dedicated individuals like you.
