Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Find the Best One Near Jacksonville Florida
Selecting the right dental hygienist program near Jacksonville FL is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. However, you must evaluate and compare your school options before you can make your final selection. There is far more to performing your due diligence than selecting the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. There are other important issues to consider as well, including the school's reputation and accreditation. A dental hygienist usually must invest anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about half that time. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's explore the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Degree Options
As a result of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Jacksonville FL dental offices are usually 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 vocational 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. Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Dental Hygienist Online Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist program may be a great alternative for receiving your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Jacksonville FL home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to receive the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist school is the best option for you.
Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Jacksonville FL, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Although these are important initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning 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 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. Jacksonville FL employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.
Is Adequate Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Jacksonville FL dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional 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 look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require 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 are likely to have good reputations within the Jacksonville FL dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the schools you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Jacksonville FL dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to 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 examining the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Jacksonville FL area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and must attend classes near Jacksonville FL 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 making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Learn More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Jacksonville
Choose the Right Jacksonville Dental Hygienist School
Choosing the right dental hygienist program is essential 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 numerous options available to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education 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 normally require roughly two years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Jacksonville Florida.
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