Alabaster	Albertville	Alexander City
Anniston	Athens	Auburn
Bessemer	Birmingham	Calera
Center Point	Cullman	Daphne
Decatur	Dixiana	Dothan
East Florence	Enterprise	Fairhope
Florence	Foley	Fort Payne
Gadsden	Gardendale	Hartselle
Helena	Homewood	Hoover
Hueytown	Huntsville	Jacksonville
Jasper	Madison	Millbrook
Mobile	Montgomery	Moody
Mountain Brook	Muscle Shoals	Northport
Opelika	Oxford	Ozark
Pelham	Pell City	Phenix City
Prattville	Prichard	Princeton
Saraland	Scottsboro	Selma
Sylacauga	Talladega	Tillmans Corner
Troy	Trussville	Tuscaloosa
Vestavia Hills

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Dental Hygienist Job Description

When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Alabama dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Administering fluoride treatments
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Teaching patients about oral care
• Taking and developing X-rays
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to passing any state licensure exams. After they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Alabama dental practices are usually required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually every state. They are offered in trade and vocational schools as well as community colleges. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a clinical component to the training as well| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Training

Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a good alternative for receiving your training. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Alabama home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.

Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Alabama

 

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