Dental Hygiene Degree Programs
How to Pick the Right One Near Elk Grove Illinois
Picking the right dental hygienist college near Elk Grove IL is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. However, you need to analyze and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. There is much more to doing your due diligence than choosing the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to take into account as well, including the college's accreditation and reputation. 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 prolonged training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Functions
When comparing the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Elk Grove IL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Due to the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Elk Grove IL dental offices 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 nearly 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 Classes
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program might be a viable option for getting your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Elk Grove IL home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Elk Grove IL, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Even though these may be relevant initial points to consider, there are several 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 supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school 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. Elk Grove IL employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Elk Grove IL dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to receive 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance obtaining their first job. Check if the programs you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Elk Grove IL dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the colleges you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Elk Grove IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, don't forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Elk Grove IL area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to attend classes near Elk Grove IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Elk Grove
Choose the Best Elk Grove Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Elk Grove Illinois.
Elk Grove Dental Hygienist Programs | Elk Grove How To Become A Dental Hygienist