How to Pick a Dental Hygienist College near Pierceton Indiana
Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Pierceton IN is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to examine and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than picking the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account as well, including the college’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 complete. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Pierceton IN practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report 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
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Educating patients about oral care
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
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 as well as any state licensure examinations. Once they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Pierceton IN dental offices are often required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs
Choosing an online dental hygienist school can be a good option for obtaining your training. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Pierceton IN home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The practical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.
Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Pierceton IN, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online options as well. Although these are significant 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. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Pierceton IN employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Pierceton IN dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to obtain hands-on, clinical 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 create professional relationships in the Pierceton IN dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require help getting their first job. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Pierceton IN dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Check with the colleges you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Pierceton IN dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Pierceton IN area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Pierceton IN at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Pierceton IN?
Pierceton, Indiana
In 1853, John Butler Chapman and Lewis Keith, his father-in-law, employed Otho Means, a surveyor, to lay out Pierceton as it is located today, christened in honor of President Franklin Pierce.[7] The Pierceton post office was established in 1853.[8]
Pierceton is located at 41°11′59″N 85°42′24″W / 41.19972°N 85.70667°W / 41.19972; -85.70667 (41.199617, -85.706733).[11] It lies at the intersection of US 30 and Indiana state route 13.
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,015 people, 397 households, and 271 families residing in the town. The population density was 845.8 inhabitants per square mile (326.6/km2). There were 432 housing units at an average density of 360.0 per square mile (139.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.8% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.1% of the population.
There were 397 households of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.10.
Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Pierceton IN
Choosing the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Pierceton IN.
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