Dental Hygiene Schools
How to Find the Best One Near West Bradford Pennsylvania
Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near West Bradford PA is an essential initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. Selecting the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home is not the right way to make your decision. A dentistry college's accreditation and reputation are also important factors and should be considered as well. A dental hygienist generally must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. And therefore there is a higher cost associated with the longer education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will explore all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let's explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.
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Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing 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 West Bradford PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient's gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform 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
- Teaching patients about oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in West Bradford PA dental offices are usually 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 nearly 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 practical aspect to the training as well. Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.Dental Hygienist Online Training
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college may be a viable option for receiving your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your West Bradford PA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even have lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can typically be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the best option for you.
Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Bradford PA, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online alternatives also. Although these are relevant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually 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 ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. West Bradford PA employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not provided for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only essential that the college you select provides adequate 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, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local West Bradford PA dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help obtaining their first job. Check if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the West Bradford PA dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are evaluating how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the West Bradford PA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, 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 expenses 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 examining the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the West Bradford PA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near West Bradford PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.
Find Out More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in West Bradford
Choose the Right West Bradford Dental Hygienist Program
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous options offered to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in West Bradford Pennsylvania.
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