Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Pick the Best One Near New Fairfield Connecticut
Choosing the right dental hygienist program near New Fairfield CT is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. However, you must assess and compare your school options before you can make your final selection. Choosing the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence is not the ideal way to make your decision. A dentistry program's reputation and accreditation are also significant issues and must be considered as well. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to finish. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Functions
When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the New Fairfield CT practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in New Fairfield CT dental offices are often 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 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 aspect to the training as well. A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist school 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 portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your New Fairfield CT home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of education, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in New Fairfield CT, you can start 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 cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Even though these are significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at 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 right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. New Fairfield CT employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited colleges.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the school you choose offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local New Fairfield CT dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to get hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help obtaining their first job. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the New Fairfield CT dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Check with the schools you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the New Fairfield CT dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses 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 programs, don't forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the New Fairfield CT area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near New Fairfield CT at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in New Fairfield
Choose the Right New Fairfield Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in New Fairfield Connecticut.
New Fairfield Dental Hygienist Schools | New Fairfield Dental Hygiene Schools