Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Enroll In the Right One Near New Haven Connecticut
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist program near New Haven CT is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to examine and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than selecting the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other important factors to take into account as well, including the college's reputation and accreditation. 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 finish. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's look at the training programs provided.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in New Haven CT dental practices are often 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 practical aspect to the training as well. Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Schools
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school might be a viable option for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your New Haven CT home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The practical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the ideal option for you.
Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in New Haven CT, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for several online options also. Even though these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually 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 of the highest quality and comprehensive. New Haven CT employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited schools.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the school you enroll in offers enough 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 choose offers clinical rotation in a local New Haven CT dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance landing their first job. Check if the programs you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the New Haven CT dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Ask the schools you are interested in how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the New Haven CT dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, don't forget to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the New Haven CT area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and have to go to classes near New Haven CT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in New Haven
Choose the Best New Haven Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options offered to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose 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 start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in New Haven Connecticut.
New Haven Dental Hygienist Colleges | New Haven Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me