Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Hollywood FL 33019 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist College near Hollywood Florida

Hollywood FL dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near Hollywood FL is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than selecting the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant factors to consider as well, such as the college’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 finish. Obviously with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Duties of Dental Hygienists

Hollywood FL pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting 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 assists the Hollywood FL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Instructing 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 graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination 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 Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Hollywood FL dental offices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in trade and technical schools as well as community colleges. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a practical aspect to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Hollywood FL Choosing an online dental hygienist college may be a great option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your Hollywood FL home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical training can typically 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 furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the best option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Hollywood FL dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hollywood FL, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options also. Even though these may be significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist program 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 intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost 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 guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Hollywood FL employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Hollywood FL dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to receive 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 develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require assistance landing their first job. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Hollywood FL dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Small? Check with the programs you are evaluating how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Hollywood FL dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Hollywood FL area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to attend classes near Hollywood FL at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Hollywood FL?

Hollywood, Florida

Hollywood is a city in Broward County, Florida, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.[6] The average temperature is between 68 and 83 °F (20 and 28 °C). As of July 1, 2015 Hollywood had a population of 149,728.[7] Founded in 1925, the city grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, and is now the twelfth-largest city in Florida.[8] Hollywood is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.

Joseph Young arrived in South Florida in 1920 in search to create his own “Dream City in Florida” and named the town after Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. His vision included the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic ocean stretching westward with man made lakes, infrastructure, roads and the Intercostal waterway. He wanted to include large parks, schools, churches, and golf courses; these were all industries and activities which were very important to Young’s life. After Young had spent millions of dollars on construction the city, he was elected as the first mayor in 1925. This new town quickly became home to northerners known as snowbirds. These snowbirds flee the north during the winter and then escape the south during the summer to avoid the harsh climates. By 1960, Hollywood contained more than 2,400 hotel units along with the construction of 12,170 single family homes. [9] Young bought up thousands of acres of land around 1920, and named his new town "Hollywood by the Sea" to distinguish it from his other real estate venture, "Hollywood in the Hills", in New York.

Young had a vision of having lakes, golf courses, a luxury beach hotel (Hollywood Beach Hotel, now Hollywood Beach Resort), country clubs, and a main street, Hollywood Boulevard.[10] After the 1926 Miami hurricane, Hollywood was severely damaged; local newspapers reported that Hollywood was second only to Miami in losses from the storm.[9] Following Young's death in 1934, the city encountered more terrific hurricanes and the stock market crashed with personal financial misfortunes.[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.8 square miles (80 km2), of which 27.34 square miles (71 km2) is land and 3.46 square miles (9 km2) is covered by water (11.23%).[28]

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Find the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Hollywood FL

Choosing the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options offered to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require roughly 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing 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 start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Hollywood FL.