Dental Hygiene --> Dental Science

I'm not even in Trinity, but I'm a dental student and I saw this so I'm giving you my two cents. There are people (such as a classmate of mine) who go from hygiene to dentistry yes, but they are completely different qualification and one does not lead onto the other. If you want to be a dentist you must apply specifically to a dental course, IE UCC Trinity Queens, or go to Britain. It's very hard to get into, with like the highest points course in the country (apart from maybe vet or med without the HPAT).

There is also the option of going to eastern Europe, but then the teaching might not be as good, its extremely expensive and you might have problems with your qualification. I couldn't tell you more on this sorry. I would think hard about being a hygiene student if I were you, the next 2 years will be tough if you just have an idea of just doing something else, in my opinion. Best of luck.

Yes, it is possible to work your way up from dental hygiene to dental science and become a dentist, although the exact path may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

In general, you would need to complete a Bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and then apply for a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program. The exact requirements for admission to a dental school may vary, but typically include prerequisites such as biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as a competitive score on the Dental Admission Test (DAT). After completing dental school, you would need to obtain a license to practice dentistry in your state or country.

The time it takes to complete this path can vary based on your individual circumstances, such as the specific dental hygiene program you attend, your academic performance, and the length of time it takes to complete the necessary prerequisites and the dental school program. Generally, dental hygiene programs take about two years to complete, while dental school programs take about four years. In addition, you may need to complete a residency or post-graduate training program before obtaining a license to practice dentistry.

Studying abroad may also be an option, although the requirements and timeline may vary based on the specific country and dental school you attend. It's important to research the specific requirements for the programs you're interested in and to speak with academic advisors and dental professionals for more information on this career path.