Dental Hygiene Courses
How to Pick the Right One Near Marietta Georgia
Picking the right dental hygienist school near Marietta GA is an essential first step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to assess and compare your school options. Selecting the training with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home is not the best way to come to a decision. There are other significant factors to take into account as well, such as the college's reputation and accreditation. Dental hygienists typically earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to finish. And consequently there is a higher cost associated with the longer education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's review the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Marietta GA dental practices are generally required to have 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 virtually every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. 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 sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Dental Hygienist Online Programs
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school may be a great alternative for getting your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Marietta GA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And added expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The clinical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Marietta GA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives also. Although these may be significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify 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 training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Marietta GA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a vital portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you enroll in provides enough 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, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Marietta GA dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form professional relationships in the Marietta GA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting their first job. Check if the programs you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Marietta GA dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Smaller? Check with the schools you are reviewing how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Marietta GA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant 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 schools, don't forget to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Marietta GA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Marietta GA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.
Find Out More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Marietta
Pick the Best Marietta Dental Hygienist Program
Picking the right dental hygienist course is crucial 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 a number of options offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Marietta Georgia.
Marietta Dental Hygiene Schools | Marietta Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me