Dental Hygiene Courses
How to Find the Best One Near Edgewood Maryland
The most important first step to begin your new career in preventive dentistry is to select the ideal dental hygienist school near Edgewood MD. However, you must evaluate and compare your school options prior to making your final choice. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. A dentistry college's reputation and accreditation are also significant factors and must be taken into account as well. 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 prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Job Functions
When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Edgewood MD dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient's teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Edgewood MD dental offices are usually 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 complete 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 clinical aspect to the training as well. Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Dental Hygienist Online Colleges
Choosing an online dental hygienist school may be a great option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program 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 personal computer in the convenience of your Edgewood MD home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the right choice for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Edgewood MD, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these are important initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Edgewood MD employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited schools.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Edgewood MD dental office that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to obtain 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 create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Edgewood MD dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Edgewood MD dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Edgewood MD area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Edgewood MD in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Learn More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Edgewood
Pick the Best Edgewood Dental Hygienist School
Picking the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options available to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short amount 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 programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about two years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the best selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Edgewood Maryland.
Edgewood Dental Hygiene Schools | Edgewood Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me