Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Temple GA 30179 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist School near Temple Georgia

Temple GA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Temple GA is an important initial 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 completing your due diligence than picking the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other important issues to take into account as well, including the school’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 two to three years to accomplish. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are evaluating 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 a Dental Hygienist

Temple GA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Temple GA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Applying fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Educating 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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensing examinations. After they have completed these requirements they are considered 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 Temple GA dental practices are often 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 virtually 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 component to the training as well| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Temple GA Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your Temple GA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to school, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Temple GA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Temple GA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually 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 ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Temple GA employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Temple GA dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best way 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require help getting their first job. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Temple GA dental profession in addition to extensive 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 large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Temple GA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether 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 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 associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Temple GA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Temple GA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still be required 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 due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Temple GA?

Temple, Georgia

Temple is located in northeastern Carroll County at 33°44′9″N 85°1′38″W / 33.73583°N 85.02722°W / 33.73583; -85.02722 (33.735723, -85.027298).[5] A very small portion of the city extends west into Haralson County. U.S. Route 78 passes just south of the center of town, leading east 6 miles (10 km) to Villa Rica and west 7 miles (11 km) to Bremen. Interstate 20 passes through the southernmost part of the town, with access from Exit 19, and leads east 38 miles (61 km) to Atlanta and west 48 miles (77 km) to Oxford, Alabama. Carrollton, the county seat, is 12 miles (19 km) south via Highway 113.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Temple has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.9 km2), of which 6.8 square miles (17.6 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.38%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,383 people, 864 households, and 664 families residing in the city. The population density was 352.3 people per square mile (136.1/km²). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 141.3 per square mile (54.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.47% White, 13.72% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

There were 864 households out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.11.

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Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist College near Temple GA

Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous alternatives offered to receive 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, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Temple GA.