Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Enroll In the Right One Near South San Francisco California
A critical first step to launch your new profession in preventive dentistry is to pick the right dental hygienist program near South San Francisco CA. But before you can make your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home. There are other important factors to consider also, such as the college's reputation and accreditation. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. Naturally with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When contrasting the role 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 South San Francisco CA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Teaching patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in South San Francisco CA dental practices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a practical component to the training as well. Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college may be a good alternative for receiving your training. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your South San Francisco CA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The practical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.
Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in South San Francisco CA, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of potential students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online options as well. Although these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. South San Francisco CA employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have associations with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local South San Francisco CA dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental schools you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the South San Francisco CA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the South San Francisco CA dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the South San Francisco CA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the South San Francisco CA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near South San Francisco CA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in South San Francisco
Pick the Right South San Francisco Dental Hygienist Program
Selecting the right dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in South San Francisco California.
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