Dental Hygiene Programs
How to Find the Best One Near Petaluma California
Picking the ideal dental hygienist college near Petaluma CA is an important first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. However, you must assess and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. Picking the school with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home is not the best way to come to a decision. A dentistry program's accreditation and reputation are also significant factors and should be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist usually must invest anywhere from 2 to 3 years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about half that time. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will talk about all of these factors and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's look at the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Training Options
Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Petaluma CA dental offices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost every state. They are offered in trade and technical 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 offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for receiving your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Petaluma CA home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Petaluma CA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Petaluma CA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the school you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Petaluma CA dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form professional relationships in the Petaluma CA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance getting their first job. Check if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Petaluma CA dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the schools you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Petaluma CA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Petaluma CA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Petaluma CA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.
Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Petaluma
Choose the Right Petaluma Dental Hygienist Program
Picking the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options available to obtain your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Petaluma California.
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