Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near Bolingbrook Illinois
Choosing the right dental hygienist program near Bolingbrook IL is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. However, you must evaluate and compare your school options prior to making your final choice. There is much more to completing your due diligence than selecting the school with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. A dentistry program's reputation and accreditation are also significant factors and should be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. Naturally with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When contrasting the job 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 Bolingbrook IL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Bolingbrook IL dental practices are generally 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly 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 component to the training as well. Some programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.Dental Hygienist Online Classes
Selecting an online dental hygienist college may be a great option for obtaining your training. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Bolingbrook IL home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the right option for you.
Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bolingbrook IL, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for several online options as well. Although these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, 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 receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Bolingbrook IL 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, often they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Bolingbrook IL dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental schools you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Bolingbrook IL dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the colleges you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Bolingbrook IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs 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 examining the cost of schools, don't forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bolingbrook IL area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while receiving your education and need to attend classes near Bolingbrook IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Bolingbrook
Choose the Right Bolingbrook Dental Hygienist Program
Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous options available to obtain your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose 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 best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bolingbrook Illinois.
Bolingbrook Dental Hygienist Degree | Bolingbrook Dental Hygienist Schools Online