Dental Hygiene Courses
How to Find the Right One Near Federal Way Washington
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist program near Federal Way WA is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to doing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to consider as well, including the college's accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Dental Hygienist Job Duties
When comparing the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Federal Way WA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient sees 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. Based on state law, a hygienist's responsibilities may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients about oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
Dental Hygienist Degree Options
Due to the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Federal Way WA 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 component to the training as well. Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.Online Dental Hygienist Colleges
Selecting an online dental hygienist school might be a viable alternative for obtaining your training. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Federal Way WA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the ideal option for you.
Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Federal Way WA, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they search for several online options as well. Although these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost 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 ensure that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Federal Way WA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the program you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Federal Way WA dental office that focuses on dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal way 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 develop professional relationships in the Federal Way WA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require help getting their first job. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Federal Way WA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Smaller? Check with the programs you are interested in how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Federal Way WA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with 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 include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Federal Way WA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Federal Way WA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, 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 Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Federal Way
Choose the Best Federal Way Dental Hygienist School
Picking the right dental hygienist program is crucial if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many alternatives available to receive your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental hygienist programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend 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 as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Federal Way Washington.
Federal Way Dental Hygienist Courses | Federal Way Dental Hygienist Programs Online