Dental Hygiene Courses
How to Pick the Right One Near Dunwoody Georgia
A critical first step to start your new profession in preventive dentistry is to select the ideal dental hygienist program near Dunwoody GA. However, you must assess and compare your school options prior to making your final choice. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. A dentistry program's accreditation and reputation are also important factors and should be taken into account as well. 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 complete. And consequently there is more expense associated with the more extensive training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will discuss all of these issues and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Training Options
Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Dunwoody GA dental practices are usually 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 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 practical aspect to the training as well. A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Dental Hygienist Online Programs
Choosing an online dental hygienist school might be a viable alternative for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Dunwoody GA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to get the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Dunwoody GA, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Possibly they look for some online alternatives also. Although these are relevant 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. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly 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 establish that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Dunwoody GA employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited schools.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Dunwoody GA dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the best means to obtain hands-on, practical 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 Dunwoody GA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help getting their first job. Check if the programs you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Dunwoody GA dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the colleges you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Dunwoody GA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Dunwoody GA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Dunwoody GA at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Dunwoody
Pick the Right Dunwoody Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous options available to receive your training and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. 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 best choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Dunwoody Georgia.
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