Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Hampden Pennsylvania
Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near Hampden PA is an essential first step toward launching your new career in dentistry. However, you need to analyze and compare your school options before you can make your final choice. Choosing the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence is not the right way to come to a decision. A dentistry program's accreditation and reputation are also significant factors and must be taken into account as well. Dental hygienists generally earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to accomplish. And therefore there is more expense associated with the longer training of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will cover all of these issues and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let's explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Hampden PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal 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 every patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's duties can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Instructing patients regarding oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Hampden PA 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 practical component to the training as well. Many programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program can be a good alternative for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Hampden PA home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The clinical training can typically be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to get the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best option for you.
Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hampden PA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite 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 ensure that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Hampden PA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited schools.
Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the college you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Hampden PA dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain 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 establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require help obtaining their first job. Check if the schools you are researching 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 Hampden PA dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Smaller? Ask the colleges you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Hampden PA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost based on the length 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 in addition to the tuition there are other significant 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 programs, remember to include all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Hampden PA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Hampden PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Hampden
Choose the Best Hampden Dental Hygienist School
Selecting the right dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options available to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental hygienist programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. 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 appropriate choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Hampden Pennsylvania.
Hampden Dental Hygienist Schools | Hampden Dental Hygiene Schools