Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in New Britain CT 06050

How to Select a Dental Hygienist Program near New Britain Connecticut

New Britain CT dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist college near New Britain CT is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than picking the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home. There are other important factors to consider also, for instance the program’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 accomplish. Naturally with the lengthier 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 schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Role of Dental Hygienists

New Britain CT pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the New Britain CT dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

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

In order to be licensed in nearly all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Because of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in New Britain CT dental offices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete 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 clinical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in New Britain CT Selecting an online dental hygienist college may be a viable alternative for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your New Britain CT home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can typically be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed 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 college is the ideal option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by New Britain CT dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in New Britain CT, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online options also. Although these are relevant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the programs you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going 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 guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. New Britain CT employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist programs have associations with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local New Britain CT dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are probably the best means 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 create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 New Britain CT dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the New Britain CT dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the New Britain CT area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and must go to classes near New Britain CT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near New Britain CT?

New Britain, Connecticut

New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Hartford. According to 2010 Census, the population of the city is 73,206.[1]

Among the southernmost of the communities encompassed within the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor metropolitan region, New Britain is home to Central Connecticut State University and Charter Oak State College.

The city's official nickname is the "Hardware City" because of its history as a manufacturing center and as the headquarters of Stanley Black & Decker. Because of its large Polish population, the city is often playfully referred to as "New Britski."[3]

New Britain was settled in 1687 and then was incorporated as a new parish under the name New Britain Society in 1754. The name is a transfer from Great Britain.[4] Chartered in 1850 as a township and in 1871 as a city, New Britain had separated from the nearby town of Farmington, Connecticut. A consolidation charter was adopted in 1905.

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Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near New Britain CT

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many alternatives available to obtain your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in New Britain CT.