Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Bantam CT 06750 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist College near Bantam Connecticut

Bantam CT dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist college near Bantam CT is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to doing your due diligence than picking the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to consider as well, including the program’s reputation and accreditation. 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 accomplish. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Bantam CT pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Bantam CT dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting 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 room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing tartar, stains and plaque
Applying fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
Removing sutures and applying fillings

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 as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Bantam CT dental offices are often 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 virtually 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 sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Bantam CT Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college might be a viable alternative for receiving your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Bantam CT home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can often be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to get the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist school is the ideal option for you.

Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Bantam CT dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bantam CT, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online options as well. Even though these are important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. 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 program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Bantam CT employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not offered for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Bantam CT dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Bantam CT dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Bantam CT dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Small? Check with the colleges you are reviewing how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Bantam CT dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance 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 costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bantam CT area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Bantam CT at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical 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 issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Bantam CT?

Bantam, Connecticut

On July 10, 1989, many of the buildings in Bantam were heavily damaged by a tornado that ripped through Litchfield and New Haven Counties. The storm also caused considerable damage to the Litchfield County town of Thomaston, and to the New Haven County towns of Waterbury, Hamden and North Haven.

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bantam has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[2]

As of the 2010 census Bantam had a population of 759. The racial composition of the population was 96.6% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.3% from other races and 1.8% from two or more races. 3.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 802 people, 364 households, and 202 families residing in the borough. The population density was 793.4 people per square mile (306.6/km²). There were 376 housing units at an average density of 372.0/sq mi (143.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.01% White, 0.37% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.87% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.00% of the population.

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Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Bantam CT

Enrolling in the ideal 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 you now know, there are many options available to receive your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bantam CT.