Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near Camp Springs Maryland
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Camp Springs MD is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. However, you need to assess and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. Selecting the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home is not the ideal way to make your decision. A dentistry school's accreditation and reputation are also significant factors and should be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to complete an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about half that time. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let's review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Dental Hygienist Job Functions
When comparing the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Camp Springs MD practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients regarding oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Camp Springs MD dental practices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 aspect to the training as well. Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.Dental Hygienist Online Programs
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college may be a good alternative for getting your education. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Camp Springs MD home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The clinical training can often be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.
Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Camp Springs MD, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly 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 ensure that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Camp Springs MD employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not offered for non-accredited schools.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Camp Springs MD dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need assistance landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Camp Springs MD dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the colleges you are reviewing how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Camp Springs MD dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial 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 analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Camp Springs MD area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Camp Springs MD at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Camp Springs
Enroll in the Best Camp Springs Dental Hygienist School
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically 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 addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the best selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Camp Springs Maryland.
Camp Springs Dental Hygienist Schools | Camp Springs Dental Hygiene Schools