Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Redding CT 06896 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Select a Dental Hygienist School near Redding Connecticut

Redding CT dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist college near Redding CT is an essential first step toward launching 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 completing your due diligence than picking the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant factors to take into account also, for instance the school’s accreditation and reputation. 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 cover all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Role of Dental Hygienists

Redding CT pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Redding CT practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They also may perform 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
Educating patients about oral care
Taking X-rays and developing film
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 also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Redding CT dental practices are generally required to hold 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 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| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Redding CT Choosing an online dental hygienist school might be a good alternative for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Redding CT home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to school, online dental programs make education a lot more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the ideal choice for you.

Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Redding CT dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Redding CT, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for some online alternatives also. Although these may be significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition 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 establish that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Redding CT employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the college you choose provides enough 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, check that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Redding CT dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal means to obtain 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 establish professional relationships in the Redding CT dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Redding CT dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Small? Ask the schools you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Redding CT dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs 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 colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Redding CT area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and have to go to classes near Redding CT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Redding CT?

Redding, Connecticut

According to the United States Census Bureau, Redding has a total area of 32.1 square miles (83 km2), of which 31.5 square miles (82 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), or 1.75%, is water.[2] Redding borders Bethel, Danbury, Easton, Newtown, Ridgefield, Wilton and Weston.

Redding has four primary sections: Redding Center, Redding Ridge, West Redding (including Lonetown, Sanfordtown, and Topstone), and Georgetown, which is situated at the junction of Redding, Ridgefield, Weston and Wilton.

Redding's topography is dominated by three ridges, running north to south, with intervening valleys featuring steep slopes and rocky ledges in some sections. The highest elevation is about 830 feet above sea level, on Sunset Hill in the northeast part of the town;[3] and the low elevation is about 290 feet above sea level at the Saugatuck Reservoir along the southern border.

The Saugatuck River flows through the Saugatuck Reservoir, Redding's largest body of water which stretches south into Weston. The reservoir was created in 1938 through the flooding of a portion of the Saugatuck River Valley.[5]

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Select the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Redding CT

Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is important 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 several alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to 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 ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Redding CT.