Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Choose the Right One Near Orangetown New York

A critical first step to begin your new profession in preventive dentistry is to select the right dental hygienist college near Orangetown NY. But before you can make your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. Selecting the school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence is not the best way to come to a decision. There are other significant issues to take into account as well, for instance the college's accreditation and reputation. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about half that time. And therefore there is a higher cost associated with the longer training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will explore all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are evaluating 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 comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Orangetown NY practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Educating patients about oral care
• Taking X-rays and developing film
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in nearly all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Orangetown NY dental practices are generally 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 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 practical aspect to the training as well. Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Colleges

Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a good option for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your Orangetown NY home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Orangetown NY, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be relevant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually 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 ensure that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Orangetown NY employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an essential part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the college you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Orangetown NY dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to obtain 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 develop professional relationships in the Orangetown NY dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Orangetown NY dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the colleges you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Orangetown NY dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

 What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost dependent 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 public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs 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 examining the cost of schools, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Orangetown NY area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Orangetown NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose 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 because of illness, work or family issues.

Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Orangetown

Choose the Right Orangetown Dental Hygienist Program

Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. 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 choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Orangetown New York.
 

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