Dental Hygiene Degree Programs
How to Pick the Best One Near Royal Palm Beach Florida
A critical first step to begin your new profession in preventive dentistry is to enroll in the right dental hygienist college near Royal Palm Beach FL. But prior to making your selection, you need to examine and compare your school options. Picking the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your home is not the right way to make your decision. A dentistry program's accreditation and reputation are also crucial factors and must be considered as well. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about a year. And therefore there is more expense associated with the more extensive education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.
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Dental Hygienist Job Description
When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Royal Palm Beach FL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients about oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Royal Palm Beach FL dental practices are normally required to hold 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 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 component to the training as well. A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Training
Choosing an online dental hygienist college can be a great option for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Royal Palm Beach FL home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. 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 receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the right option for you.
Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Royal Palm Beach FL, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for some online options also. Even though these are significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost 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 establish that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Royal Palm Beach FL employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the college you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Royal Palm Beach FL dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to obtain 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 develop professional relationships in the Royal Palm Beach FL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Royal Palm Beach FL dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Royal Palm Beach FL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Royal Palm Beach FL area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and must attend classes near Royal Palm Beach FL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still have 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 illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Royal Palm Beach
Choose the Best Royal Palm Beach Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous alternatives available to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the best selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Royal Palm Beach Florida.
Royal Palm Beach Dental Hygienist Colleges | Royal Palm Beach Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me