Dental Hygiene Programs
How to Find the Best One Near Enid Oklahoma

Selecting the right dental hygienist program near Enid OK is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than picking the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. A dentistry college's accreditation and reputation are also significant factors and should be considered as well. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from two to three years to complete an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about half that time. And therefore there is a higher cost associated with the longer education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's review 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 job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Enid OK practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient's teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Administering fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Instructing patients regarding oral hygiene
• Taking X-rays and developing film
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

To qualify for licensing 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 Examination as well as any state licensing examinations. Once they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the "RDH" designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Enid OK dental offices are often required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require 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 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. Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Enid OK home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to get the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the right option for you.

Points to Ask Dental  Hygienist Programs

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Enid OK, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options also. Even though these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Enid OK employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you select 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, confirm that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Enid OK dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal 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 create professional relationships in the Enid OK dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs need assistance landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Enid OK dental community as well as broad 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 classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Enid OK dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

 What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs 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 comparing the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Enid OK area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Enid OK in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.

Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Enid

Choose the Right Enid Dental Hygienist Program

Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Enid Oklahoma.
 

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