What does ARRT certification entail?

Yes, a dental hygienist can transition to becoming a dentist, but it requires additional education and training. To transition from a dental hygienist to a dentist, one must first complete a bachelor's degree if they haven't already. Following this, they need to pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to gain entry into a dental school. Dental school typically takes four years to complete, culminating in either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. After obtaining their degree, they must pass a series of licensing exams to practice as a dentist. In summary, while a dental hygienist can become a dentist, the process involves significant additional education and passing several exams. Initially, they need to earn a bachelor's degree if they do not already possess one. Subsequently, they must pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to enter dental school, which generally requires four years of study to earn a DDS or DMD degree. Finally, they must successfully complete a series of licensing exams to practice dentistry.