dental hygiene and therapy (DHT) frustrations

This course is insanely competitive, even more so than Dentistry BDS, and that's freaking saying something. It doesn’t have an aptitude test and has relatively low barriers to entry, which is great for widening participation, but it also makes me wonder: wtaf is the point of applying more than twice when the acceptance rates are hovering around 6-12%?
I get that dentistry's a highly sought-after path because it leads to a stable, rewarding career etc etc. But I feel like the sheer level of competition for this course isn’t communicated enough by career advisors. Realistically, you’re likely to fail on your first, second, or even third try – and that’s expected for medicine, dentistry BDS, and other courses that have aptitude tests to help sift through applicants effectively. DHT though? There’s no clear system in place. It seems like they’re just coming up with arbitrary reasons to reject people. Like University of Birmingham has actually rejected applicants (me included, yes I'm bitter, yes it's a skill issue) for having personal statements that lean too much toward dentistry rather than dental hygiene and therapy. It feels absurd to me idk?? there’s not a huuuge difference between the two fields, it just shows how overwhelmed they are by the volume of applicants.
It's already tough enough for dental nurses to progress in this field, but for school leavers it's even harder. They lack the work experience and industry knowledge and still face the same intense competition. I guess this is more of a vent post than anything because I’m really dreading reapplying lol

This course is insanely competitive, even more so than Dentistry BDS, and that's freaking saying something. It doesn’t have an aptitude test and has relatively low barriers to entry, which is great for widening participation, but it also makes me wonder: wtaf is the point of applying more than twice when the acceptance rates are hovering around 6-12%?
I get that dentistry's a highly sought-after path because it leads to a stable, rewarding career etc etc. But I feel like the sheer level of competition for this course isn’t communicated enough by career advisors. Realistically, you’re likely to fail on your first, second, or even third try – and that’s expected for medicine, dentistry BDS, and other courses that have aptitude tests to help sift through applicants effectively. DHT though? There’s no clear system in place. It seems like they’re just coming up with arbitrary reasons to reject people. Like University of Birmingham has actually rejected applicants (me included, yes I'm bitter, yes it's a skill issue) for having personal statements that lean too much toward dentistry rather than dental hygiene and therapy. It feels absurd to me idk?? there’s not a huuuge difference between the two fields, it just shows how overwhelmed they are by the volume of applicants.
It's already tough enough for dental nurses to progress in this field, but for school leavers it's even harder. They lack the work experience and industry knowledge and still face the same intense competition. I guess this is more of a vent post than anything because I’m really dreading reapplying lol

I’m also applying this year and I’m scared my chances are lower since I done btecs. Were u originally apply to DHT or dentistry?

hey i get you completely im so confused,i only see methods for mature applicants never school leavers for this course

This course is insanely competitive, even more so than Dentistry BDS, and that's freaking saying something. It doesn’t have an aptitude test and has relatively low barriers to entry, which is great for widening participation, but it also makes me wonder: wtaf is the point of applying more than twice when the acceptance rates are hovering around 6-12%?
I get that dentistry's a highly sought-after path because it leads to a stable, rewarding career etc etc. But I feel like the sheer level of competition for this course isn’t communicated enough by career advisors. Realistically, you’re likely to fail on your first, second, or even third try – and that’s expected for medicine, dentistry BDS, and other courses that have aptitude tests to help sift through applicants effectively. DHT though? There’s no clear system in place. It seems like they’re just coming up with arbitrary reasons to reject people. Like University of Birmingham has actually rejected applicants (me included, yes I'm bitter, yes it's a skill issue) for having personal statements that lean too much toward dentistry rather than dental hygiene and therapy. It feels absurd to me idk?? there’s not a huuuge difference between the two fields, it just shows how overwhelmed they are by the volume of applicants.
It's already tough enough for dental nurses to progress in this field, but for school leavers it's even harder. They lack the work experience and industry knowledge and still face the same intense competition. I guess this is more of a vent post than anything because I’m really dreading reapplying lol

They reject if you focus on dentistry because some applicants use it as a backup option if they're worried they won't get the grades for dentistry and universities don't want people on the course who are there because they didn't get their first career choice. Whilst it's true the competition is hard, they're looking for passion towards the career of dental hygiene and therapy specifically, focus on why this is the career you want, show that you're passionate. A lot of people interviewed don't demonstrate a passion for the job or a good knowledge of what a therapist does, this is the key to getting in. Please don't give up, our profession needs passionate people like you!

yep. 2nd year applying and ive just completely changed courses. i managed to get an interview second time around but was rejected. suuuuper competitive and i just lost the passion for the profession in the end

What course did u change to if u don’t mind me asking?

this is so sad bc all my grades are above the requirements, i have work experience and volunteering and my personal statement was purely based on dental hygiene and therapy and i got rejected pre interview

Diagnostic radiography. was interested in it before so it was easy for me to switch to it

I’ve been thinking of doing the same if rejected this year. How did you switch to it? (Is clearing an option?)