Dental Hygiene Degree Programs
How to Find the Right One Near Bethlehem Pennsylvania
A critical first step to start your new vocation in preventive dentistry is to select the right dental hygienist program near Bethlehem PA. However, you must assess and compare your school options prior to making your final choice. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. A dentistry college's reputation and accreditation are also important issues and must be taken into account as well. A dental hygienist generally must invest anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate typically earned by dental assistants in about half that time. And consequently there is more expense associated with the more extensive training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will cover all of these issues and supplemental questions that you need to 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 provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When contrasting the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Bethlehem PA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient's gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Educating patients about oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Bethlehem PA dental practices are generally 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 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. A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs
Selecting an online dental hygienist school may be a viable 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 remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Bethlehem PA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental programs make education a lot more obtainable. Many may even have 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 a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bethlehem PA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online options as well. Even though these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Bethlehem PA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary component of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the school you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Bethlehem PA dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to obtain hands-on, practical 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance landing their first job. Check if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Bethlehem PA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are interested in how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Bethlehem PA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to 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 comparing the cost of schools, don't forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bethlehem PA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Bethlehem PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.
Learn More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Bethlehem
Enroll in the Right Bethlehem Dental Hygienist Program
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options offered to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to 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 ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
Bethlehem Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me | Bethlehem Dental Hygienist Programs