Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Hagerstown Maryland
A critical first step to start your new vocation in preventive dentistry is to enroll in the right dental hygienist college near Hagerstown MD. However, you must examine and compare your school options prior to making your final selection. There is much more to doing your due diligence than selecting the school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. A dentistry school's accreditation and reputation are also important factors and should be considered as well. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to finish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these issues and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Hagerstown MD dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients regarding oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Hagerstown MD dental practices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 aspect to the training as well. Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school may be a great alternative for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Hagerstown MD home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The practical training can often be performed at a community dental practice 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 method of learning, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the right option for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hagerstown MD, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives also. Although these are significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Hagerstown MD employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the college you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Hagerstown MD dental office that focuses on dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the Hagerstown MD dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Hagerstown MD dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classrooms Small? Check with the programs you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Hagerstown MD dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of practical 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 substantial expenses 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 examining the cost of schools, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Hagerstown MD area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and have to go to classes near Hagerstown MD at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, 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 work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Hagerstown
Pick the Best Hagerstown Dental Hygienist Program
Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist program is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options available to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. When pursuing a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Hagerstown Maryland.
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