Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Dale City Virginia
A critical first step to start your new career in preventive dentistry is to choose the right dental hygienist program near Dale City VA. But before you can make your choice, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. A dentistry school's reputation and accreditation are also crucial 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 2 to 3 years to finish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are looking at 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 job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Dale City VA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient's teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients regarding oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Due to the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Dale City VA dental offices are normally required to have 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 nearly 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. Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs
Selecting an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for getting your education. Just keep in mind 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 provided via your personal computer in the convenience of your Dale City VA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses such as for 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 necessary to receive the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Dale City VA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these are relevant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Dale City VA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have associations with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you choose offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Dale City VA dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective method to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the programs you are researching 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 Dale City VA dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the schools you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for training where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Dale City VA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration 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 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 comparing the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Dale City VA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Dale City VA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.
Find Out More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Dale City
Choose the Right Dale City Dental Hygienist School
Picking the right dental hygienist program is imperative 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 a number of alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Dale City Virginia.
Dale City Dental Hygiene Schools | Dale City Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me