How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Harrington Maine
Picking the right dental hygienist college near Harrington ME is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than picking the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to take into account also, such as the school’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to finish. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
The Function of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Harrington ME practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Educating patients about oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
To qualify for licensing in nearly 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 in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Harrington ME dental offices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish 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| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Training
Choosing an online dental hygienist college can be a great alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Harrington ME home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the best option for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Harrington ME, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online alternatives also. Although these are relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Harrington ME employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the school you enroll in offers enough 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, check that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Harrington ME dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Harrington ME dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Harrington ME dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the colleges you are looking at how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Harrington ME dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But besides 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 analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Harrington ME area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Harrington ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Harrington ME?
Harrington, Maine
Originally called Plantation Number 5, it was one of six townships east of the Union River granted in 1762 by the Massachusetts General Court to an association of petitioners. First settled about 1765, it had a population of 177 on June 17, 1797, when incorporated as Harrington.[5]
Farmers grew wheat and potatoes in the town's sandy loam. Harrington developed a considerable trade in lumber, and by 1859 contained two sawmills, three shingle mills and two lath mills. There was a gristmill, two brickyards, a tannery, and eighteen shipbuilders.[6] In 1886, industries also included a sailmaker, and a boot and shoe manufacturer.[7]Gallison Memorial Library still operates a limited schedule in Harrington.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.31 square miles (130.30 km2), of which, 21.11 square miles (54.67 km2) of it is land and 29.20 square miles (75.63 km2) is water.[1] The town is at the head of Narraguagus Bay, and situated beside Harrington Bay and Pleasant Bay on the Gulf of Maine. It is drained by Curtis Creek, the Mill River and the Harrington River.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,004 people, 419 households, and 290 families residing in the town. The population density was 47.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.4/km2). There were 675 housing units at an average density of 32.0 per square mile (12.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.
Choose the Best Dental Hygienist School near Harrington ME
Picking the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs normally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two 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 asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Harrington ME.
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