Dana sits down with former dental hygiene student Aliyah to unpack what it really looks like to navigate the unexpected in dental hygiene school. From an unplanned career change, setback in her acceptance, and grieving a family loss during the program, Aliyah shares how preparation, a strong support system, and clear priorities helped her stay grounded without losing track of the ultimate goal- to become a registered dental hygienist. Find her on TikTok @aliyahburrelll and IG @aliyahrdh_ 

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

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When time is limited—and it usually is in dental hygiene school—studying more isn’t the answer. Studying with intention is. In this episode, Dana talks about evidence-based study strategies designed for dental hygiene students juggling full clinic days, coursework, and multiple exams. Focus your efforts where they actually count, without adding pressure or unrealistic expectations.

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

This episode is sponsored by StudentRDH. Check out all of their services to help you get ready for boards HERE.

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Julio Cesar is back for part 2, sharing how his journey of getting into dental hygiene school is going so far. He is being deliberate in his application process by pacing hsi science courses, choosing grades over speed, dropping a class when needed, and building strong relationships with professors. This episode normalizes taking the long route while staying accountable and intentional, especially for first-generation and nontraditional dental hygiene students.

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

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Midterms tend to trigger panic-studying and self-doubt. This episode walks through how to prioritize content, manage time realistically, and avoid the common mistakes that make midterms harder than they need to be.

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

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Julio Cesar, future RDH and current expanded-function dental assistant, is sharing his path to dental hygiene school after thirteen years of experience in dentistry as an assistant! He's always had a passion for dentistry and shares how excited he is to be able to merge his skills as an expanded-function assistant and dental hygienist to provide comprehensive care to his patients in the future. Dana and Julio also talked about possible changes to the profession of dental hygienists as dental assistants continue to expand their scopes of practice. Stay tuned for part 2 of their conversation!  

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

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To succeed in dental hygiene school, it's important to step away from memorizing the lecture material and focus on the skill of asking why. Dana explains why knowing facts isn’t enough—and how exam questions, clinical reasoning, and long-term retention all depend on understanding cause-and-effect. Here's the tip she gives to students to maximize their comprehension: when studying, practice explaining concepts out loud without notes. If you can’t clearly explain the concept, that’s your cue to go deeper. This simple habit improves exam performance, clinical confidence, and your ability to think like a dental hygienist—not just pass a test.

Struggling on your dental hygiene school journey? Download our free guide to help you overcome your dental hygiene hurdles HERE!

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The dental hygiene profession has faced threats to lower standards of care and allow lesser-trained individuals to do our jobs in some states. Bethany has come back on the podcast to explain her role with the Oral Health Awareness Project and how they are addressing legislative threats by educating both the dental community and the public on the depth of hygienists’ education, clinical judgment, and role beyond “just a cleaning.” A simple place for clinical hygienists to support this movement is to be intentional when explaining their assessments, education, and scope to patients, because everyday clarity in the operatory shapes long-term change.

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Although your GPA does not define you, it should be used as crucial feedback. It shows how you’re managing coursework, using resources, and adjusting when things don’t go as planned. Admissions committees for dental hygiene programs look closely at GPAs, especially relevant science courses, because it reflects your readiness for their program. Dana shares great tips on how to polish your dental hygiene school application to put your best foot forward. 

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A hand injury for a dental hygienist can be career-ending, yet many don't have a backup plan in place if it were to happen to them. Miranda Linkous shares how her wrist injury led her to pivot from clinical hygiene into dental sales. It's a refreshing reminder that the skills developed in dental hygiene translate beyond the operatory. If you're interested in learning how she did it, check out this episode and then head over to her YouTube channel, @MirandaLinkousRDH. 

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Consider this episode a check-in with your personal advisor, Dana, for your dental hygiene school prerequisites. Dana walks through the common pre-req courses for dental hygiene programs. There's so much emphasis put on these science courses because they directly prepare you for the intensity of dental hygiene coursework, so they can really make or break your application. Choosing two to three target programs and tailoring your prerequisite plan to their requirements is a more effective and less overwhelming approach. Dana also normalizes having C's on your transcript, reminding listeners that strong planning, experience, and thoughtful applications can matter just as much as grades. 

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