Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Select the Right One Near Kahului Hawaii
Picking the right dental hygienist college near Kahului HI is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you must examine and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than selecting the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. A dentistry program's reputation and accreditation are also significant factors and must be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from two to three years to complete an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about a year. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these concerns and additional 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 provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Kahului HI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Teaching patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Kahului HI dental offices are normally 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 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 component to the training as well. Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist school might be a good option for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Kahului HI home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Kahului HI, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives also. Although these may be significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included 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 School Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Kahului HI employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an essential component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the school you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Kahului HI dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to get hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Kahului HI dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the schools you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Kahului HI dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don't forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Kahului HI area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Kahului HI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Find Out More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Kahului
Choose the Right Kahului Dental Hygienist Program
Choosing the right dental hygienist course is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options offered to obtain your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing 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 in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Kahului Hawaii.
Kahului Dental Hygiene Schools | Kahului Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me