Dental Hygiene Programs
How to Find the Best One Near Palos Hills Illinois
A critical first step to begin your new career in preventive dentistry is to pick the right dental hygienist college near Palos Hills IL. However, you must analyze and compare your school options prior to making your final selection. Choosing the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home is not the best way to make your decision. A dentistry program's reputation and accreditation are also important issues and should be considered as well. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to complete an Associate Degree, in contrast to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. Obviously with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Description
When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Palos Hills 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 interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Teaching patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Palos Hills IL dental practices are often required to hold 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 component to the training as well. Many programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.Online Dental Hygienist Classes
Choosing an online dental hygienist school may be a viable alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Palos Hills IL home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The clinical training can typically 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 appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Palos Hills IL, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, a number of prospective students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online options also. Although these are important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final 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 college. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Palos Hills IL employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital component of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with local 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 would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Palos Hills IL dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the best method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the Palos Hills IL dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Palos Hills IL dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Ask the schools you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Palos Hills IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and if 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 expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Palos Hills IL area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Palos Hills IL at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Palos Hills
Enroll in the Right Palos Hills Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous alternatives offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining 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 better prepared to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Palos Hills Illinois.
Palos Hills Dental Hygienist Schools | Palos Hills Dental Hygiene Schools