How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist School near Crawfordville Georgia
Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Crawfordville GA is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account also, including the school’s reputation and accreditation. 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 complete. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Crawfordville GA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Teaching patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
To qualify for licensing in almost all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Crawfordville GA dental practices are generally 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Online Dental Hygienist Training
Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a viable alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Crawfordville GA home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Crawfordville GA, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Crawfordville GA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Crawfordville GA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to get hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Crawfordville GA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at 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 Crawfordville GA dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classrooms Small? Ask the schools you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Crawfordville GA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether 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 commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Crawfordville GA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to attend classes near Crawfordville GA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Crawfordville GA?
Crawfordville, Georgia
Crawfordville was founded in 1825 as the seat of the newly formed Taliaferro County. It was incorporated as a town in 1826 and as a city in 1906.[6] The community was named after William H. Crawford (1772–1834), U.S. Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury.[7]
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 572 people, 260 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density was 182.4 people per square mile (70.3/km²). There were 312 housing units at an average density of 99.5 per square mile (38.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 41.43% White, 56.99% African American, 1.05% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 260 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city, the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.9 males.
Select the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Crawfordville GA
Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options available 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 programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing 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 Crawfordville GA.
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