Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Find the Right One Near Douglasville Georgia
A critical first step to begin your new profession in preventive dentistry is to select the right dental hygienist school near Douglasville GA. However, you need to examine and compare your school options before you can make your final selection. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to consider as well, including the school'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 two to three years to finish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Douglasville GA practice and the dentists. 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 area. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Douglasville GA dental practices are usually required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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. Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school can be a great option for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your personal computer in the comfort of your Douglasville GA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can usually be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to receive 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.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Douglasville GA, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Although these are significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing 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 final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Douglasville GA employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the college you choose offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Douglasville GA dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the best means to get hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the Douglasville GA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require assistance landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Douglasville GA dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Douglasville GA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public 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 textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Douglasville GA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Douglasville GA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, 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 because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Douglasville
Enroll in the Best Douglasville Dental Hygienist School
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many alternatives offered to obtain your education 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 community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Douglasville Georgia.
Douglasville Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me | Douglasville Dental Hygienist Programs