Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Pick the Right One Near Rahway New Jersey
A critical first step to start your new career in preventive dentistry is to pick the right dental hygienist school near Rahway NJ. But prior to making your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than selecting the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. A dentistry school's reputation and accreditation are also important 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 consequently there is more expense associated with the longer training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will explore all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Dental Hygienist Job Description
When contrasting the duties 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 Rahway NJ practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may 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
- Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Rahway NJ dental practices are often required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.Online Dental Hygienist Colleges
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school might be a good option for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your Rahway NJ home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental classes make education much more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can usually be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Rahway NJ, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online options also. Although these are significant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly 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 receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Rahway NJ employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the college you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Rahway NJ dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are evaluating sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal means to obtain 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Rahway NJ dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the programs you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Rahway NJ dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant 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 colleges, don't forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Rahway NJ area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Rahway NJ at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.
Learn More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Rahway
Enroll in the Right Rahway Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is important 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 numerous options offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Rahway New Jersey.
Rahway Dental Hygienist Programs | Rahway How To Become A Dental Hygienist