Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Fairfax Virginia
Selecting the right dental hygienist school near Fairfax VA is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. Choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence is not the right way to come to a decision. A dentistry college's accreditation and reputation are also significant factors and should be considered as well. Dental hygienists typically earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to accomplish. And therefore there is more expense associated with the prolonged education of a hygienist as compared to an assistant. We will talk about all of these issues and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's explore the training programs provided.
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Dental Hygienist Training Options
Due to the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Fairfax VA dental practices are generally required to have 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 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 practical component to the training as well. A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a great alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Fairfax VA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist school is the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Fairfax VA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these are significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best 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 intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Fairfax VA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college 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 school you select offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Fairfax VA dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to receive 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Fairfax VA dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the schools you are evaluating how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Fairfax VA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don't forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Fairfax VA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Fairfax VA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in 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 need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Fairfax
Enroll in the Right Fairfax Dental Hygienist School
Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, 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 receive your formal education through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Fairfax Virginia.
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