If Science and math are my worst subjects, is a career as a dental hygienist wrong for me?
Asked by Ludwika
I am in college right now, taking the general ed classes for the dental hygiene program. I took math and barely passed with a C and now I'm taking chemistry and am confused more and more as the days go on. I can handle all the blood and nasty parts of being a dental hygienist, but the science and math requirements are killing me. Is that a sign to choose a different path?

Best Answer:
Ludwika, The short answer is NO. The long answer is: These subjects are hard. Do you want to be a hygienist or not? If so - it's time to get down and dirty and show math and chemistry whose boss. For some they are easier than others, but they aren't simple for anyone. Your background may not be as strong as some of the folks in the class, and you may also not have the same amount of time to dedicate. There are a so many variables (ha ha. pun intended). Regardless, here's the key: work each problem in your homework. Take your time. You have to have the time to do it right and let it sink in. If you can't soak it up in class, that's ok. It's normal. Do it at home. You say - "but it doesn't make sense at home and there's no one to answer my questions". True. That's what your tutor will be for. Here's your plan of action: 1. Find a tutor. They are usually on the job board. Almost all students need money, so if you can't find a tutor, ask the nicest A student in class if you can pay them to help you. If they aren't helping, get another one. Here's the thing: not everyone can explain math in a way that makes sense to someone that doesn't understand it - even if they can do it themselves. You need someone that is patient, and understands the conceptual building blocks leading to comprehension of the ideas being used. Learning math is like building a building. You have a foundation and each floor serves as a foundation for the floor above it. If you can't afford a tutor, go to the teacher. They are paid to help you. It's their job. They don't have to like it and they don't have to like you. Go anyway. Consider the source if they give you a hard time and make them help you. The sooner you understand something, the sooner they can get on with whatever else they were doing. Camp outside the office and bug them as often as you need to. If you have a good teacher, what will probably happen is, they will respect you for trying so hard, even if it doesn't come naturally, and they will help you as much as you need. 2. Each night, do your homework. Write down your questions - all of them, in order. When you see your tutor, go through each question and get the answer. Take the time to make lots of notes - drawings, whatever it takes. Work through what your tutor showed you again until you understand HOW to work the problem, not just go through the motions. 3. What is going to happen is - you are going to find out what you don't know. There may be concepts going back several years that were never explained properly or maybe you didn't grasp them at the time. These are like holes in the foundation. You have to patch all the holes. The more holes get patched, the easier future lessons become. 4. If you have a test coming up, don't just work the homework. Work EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM in the chapters being covered. I don't care if it takes you 2 weekends and you only sleep 5 hours. Do what it takes to get the job done. When you are working as a hygienist, you'll never have to do math again and you'll be making a good living. You can look back and be proud. Right now - it's time to go on the mathmatical warpath. 5. If you are getting an F the day before the drop date, drop it. Take it again. Take it 3 times if you have to. You'll eventually pass and you'll know it better than most because you went through it more than once. 6. Don't let pride get in your way of finishing. You know what they call the worst student in the med school graduating class? He's called "Doctor" when he goes to work. If you get a D and it counts, take it for crying out loud. Take the crappy grades and keep on grinding it out. Don't leave until they drag you out by your hair. For the record - I am an engineer. I know what you are going through because I went through the same thing. I repeated calculus one (got a solid F minus the first time), calculus II, and calculus III. I went on scholastic probation - twice. I had to work through most of school so I didn't have the time to study that I should have, but even so, math was hard as hell for me. I finally figured out what it took to get through it, and did well in future math classes (I went on to take several more beyond calc). I had several tutors, and I repeated several classes, but I finished. That was 20 years ago. Most of my job was "on the job training". Yours will be too, and your level of career success will depend on your attitude and your willingness to work hard. You can get through this if you want to badly enough, and you will be stronger for the experience. In other words - you can succeed beyond your wildest dreams, and become well respected in your field regardless of what kind of math scores you had, because working hard, treating people right, and having a good attitude at work is a matter of deciding to do it, and has nothing to do with aptitude in one subject. Good luck Kevin

it looks better to have good grades, but as long as you pass (which is a C) you can still find a good job. just stick with it!!
Answered by [.keepin.it.real.]

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Answered by qpac10

No. It is quite likely that you will eventually master the math related work tasks and you will do fine. Most of the education you get in math and science never applies to the real jobs you get. You'll be fine.
Answered by An old chinese man

Nah, just study a bit more and work your weaker half of your brain. All I gotta say about that one =D Good Luck in College! Ryan
Answered by Ryan C

if a dentist is what you REALLY want to be, don't let math and science stop u. get a tutor and just try as hard as you can. try not to get more than you need of those classes tho. a lot of professions require math and science, so find what you really want and go for it.
Answered by browland89