Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Select the Right One Near Oak Park Illinois
A critical first step to begin your new career in preventive dentistry is to choose the ideal dental hygienist college near Oak Park IL. However, you must assess and compare your school options prior to making your final selection. Choosing the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home is not the best way to make your decision. There are other important factors to take into account as well, including the program'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 two to three years to accomplish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Functions
When contrasting the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Oak Park IL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Teaching patients about oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Oak Park IL dental offices are normally 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 practical component to the training as well. A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Classes
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college might be a good option for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Oak Park IL home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can often be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the ideal option for you.
Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Oak Park IL, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options as well. Even though these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. In order 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 education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Oak Park IL employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Oak Park IL dental office that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental schools you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way 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 create professional relationships in the Oak Park IL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs need assistance getting their first job. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Oak Park IL dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are evaluating how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate setting for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Oak Park IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, don't forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Oak Park IL area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near Oak Park IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Oak Park
Choose the Best Oak Park Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of alternatives available to receive 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, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Oak Park Illinois.
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