Dental Hygiene Colleges
How to Select the Right One Near Edmonds Washington
A critical first step to launch your new career in preventive dentistry is to pick the ideal dental hygienist program near Edmonds WA. But prior to making your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. A dentistry college's accreditation and reputation are also significant issues and should be considered as well. A dental hygienist usually must spend anywhere from two to three years to earn an Associate Degree, in contrast to a certificate most often earned by dental assistants in about a year. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let's review the training programs available.
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Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Edmonds WA dental practices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. 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 offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Online Dental Hygienist Classes
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school can be a viable alternative for obtaining your training. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Edmonds WA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to school, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to receive the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the best option for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Edmonds WA, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives also. Although these may be relevant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Edmonds WA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the program you choose provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Edmonds WA dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional 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 look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools require assistance getting their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Edmonds WA dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are interested in how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Edmonds WA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Edmonds WA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Edmonds WA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.
Learn More About Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Edmonds
Choose the Best Edmonds Dental Hygienist Program
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist course is important 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 many alternatives available to receive your training and it takes a relatively 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 generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. When pursuing a degree you can elect to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Edmonds Washington.
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