Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Find the Best One Near Clive Iowa
A critical first step to begin your new profession in preventive dentistry is to enroll in the ideal dental hygienist school near Clive IA. However, you need to evaluate and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. A dentistry program's reputation and accreditation are also important issues and must be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist usually must invest anywhere from 2 to 3 years to earn an Associate Degree, in contrast to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about a year. And therefore there is a higher cost associated with the prolonged education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will cover all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Clive IA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Instructing patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Clive IA dental practices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require 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 offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Dental Hygienist Online Classes
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school might be a great alternative for obtaining your training. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Clive IA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can usually be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this mode of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Clive IA, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Even though these are significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several valid 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 prerequisite in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Clive IA employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind 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 college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Clive IA dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to receive 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 Clive IA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Clive IA dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the programs you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Clive IA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, remember to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Clive IA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Clive IA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
Find Out More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Clive
Choose the Best Clive Dental Hygienist Program
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of alternatives offered to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to 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 ideal selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Clive Iowa.
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