How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Pierce Idaho
Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near Pierce ID is an essential initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other significant issues to consider also, 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. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are reviewing 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 Job of Dental Hygienists
When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Pierce ID dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients regarding oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
In order to be licensed in nearly 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 licensure examinations. After they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Pierce ID dental practices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three 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 component to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Programs
Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a good alternative for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the convenience of your Pierce ID home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area 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 dedication for this style of education, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.
Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Pierce ID, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Even though these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included 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 College Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program 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. Pierce ID employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an important component of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you select offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Pierce ID dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental schools you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to obtain 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 establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Pierce ID dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the programs you are evaluating how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Pierce ID dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with 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 include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Pierce ID area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Pierce ID in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Pierce ID?
Pierce, Idaho
The first discovery of gold in Idaho (then Washington Territory) was made by Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett on Orofino Creek (Canal Gulch) in October 1860, a mile (1.6 km) north of Pierce.[5][6]
Pierce was the first county seat for Shoshone County, which was established in January 1861 in Washington Territory and for a most of its first year included most of present-day Idaho and Wyoming.[7][8] The Pierce Courthouse, constructed in 1862, is Idaho's oldest public building.[9]Idaho Territory was established in 1863, and the county seat moved north to the Silver Valley in Murray in 1884 (and to Wallace in 1898). Present-day Clearwater County, formed in 1911, was part of Shoshone County until 1904, when it was annexed by Nez Perce County.
Pierce is located at 46°29′33″N 115°47′58″W / 46.49250°N 115.79944°W / 46.49250; -115.79944 (46.492566, -115.799466),[10] at an elevation of 3,094 feet (943 m) above sea level. It is located on the Weippe Prairie, north of the Clearwater River canyon.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $34,318, and the median income for a family was $36,667. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,980. About 14.7% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Pierce ID
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options offered to receive your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Pierce ID.
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