Dental Hygiene Degree Programs
How to Choose the Right One Near West Sacramento California
A critical first step to start your new career in preventive dentistry is to select the right dental hygienist school near West Sacramento CA. But prior to making your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. Picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home is not the right way to make your decision. A dentistry school's reputation and accreditation are also important factors and should be taken into account as well. Dental hygienists generally earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete. And therefore there is a higher cost associated with the more extensive training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will explore all of these issues and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the West Sacramento CA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Teaching patients regarding oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Because of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in West Sacramento CA dental practices are normally required to hold 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 virtually 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 clinical component to the training as well. A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Colleges
Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a great alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your West Sacramento CA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The clinical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.
Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Sacramento CA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online alternatives also. Even though these are significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. West Sacramento CA employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local West Sacramento CA dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to get 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 build professional relationships in the West Sacramento CA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help getting their first job. Check if the programs you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the West Sacramento CA dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Check with the schools you are reviewing how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the West Sacramento CA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the West Sacramento CA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near West Sacramento CA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.
Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in West Sacramento
Pick the Right West Sacramento Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you want 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 offered to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in West Sacramento California.
West Sacramento Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me | West Sacramento Dental Hygienist Degree