Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Portland Maine
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist college near Portland ME is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. However, you need to evaluate and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. A dentistry school's accreditation and reputation are also crucial issues and must be considered as well. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, in contrast to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. And therefore there is more expense associated with the lengthier education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's explore the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Portland ME dental practices are normally required to hold 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 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 practical component to the training as well. A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Online Dental Hygienist Training
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a good alternative for getting your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Portland ME home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental programs make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even have 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 practical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.
Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Portland ME, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, a number of potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online options as well. Although these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the schools you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal 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 college. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college 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. Portland ME employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the school you choose provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Portland ME dental office 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 most effective means to get 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Portland ME dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Portland ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also come into play. But along with 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Portland ME area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Portland ME in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
Find Out More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Portland
Choose the Right Portland Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Portland Maine.
Portland Dental Hygienist Colleges | Portland Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me