Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Choose the Best One Near Evergreen Park Illinois
The most important first step to start your new career in preventive dentistry is to select the right dental hygienist school near Evergreen Park IL. However, you must assess and compare your school options prior to making your final choice. There is far more to performing your due diligence than choosing the school with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. A dentistry college's accreditation and reputation are also crucial factors and must be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete 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 cost. 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 review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Evergreen Park IL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Teaching patients about oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Evergreen Park IL dental practices are normally 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 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 clinical aspect to the training as well. Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Programs
Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available via your personal computer in the convenience of your Evergreen Park IL home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the best option for you.
Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Evergreen Park IL, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for several online alternatives also. Even though these may be significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost 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 guarantee that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Evergreen Park IL employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the school you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Evergreen Park IL dental office that focuses on dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are considering have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way 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 establish professional relationships in the Evergreen Park IL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Evergreen Park IL dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the schools you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Evergreen Park IL dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of schools, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Evergreen Park IL area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and must go to classes near Evergreen Park IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Find Out More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Evergreen Park
Choose the Best Evergreen Park Dental Hygienist School
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous alternatives available to acquire your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking 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 start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Evergreen Park Illinois.
Evergreen Park Dental Hygienist Colleges | Evergreen Park Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me