Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lewiston ME 04240 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist College near Lewiston Maine

Lewiston ME dental hygienist with patient Picking the right dental hygienist college near Lewiston ME is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than selecting the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to consider as well, for instance the school’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 two to three years to accomplish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Job of Dental Hygienists

Lewiston ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Lewiston ME practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

Removing tartar, stains and plaque
Applying fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking X-rays and developing film
Removing sutures and applying fillings

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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensing exams. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Lewiston ME dental practices are usually required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take 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 community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a practical aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Lewiston ME Choosing an online dental hygienist school might be a great alternative for receiving your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Lewiston ME home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the right option for you.

Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Lewiston ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lewiston ME, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options also. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the programs you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lewiston ME employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lewiston ME dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental programs you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective method to get 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 create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lewiston ME dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Lewiston ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Lewiston ME area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to attend classes near Lewiston ME in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still need to schedule your clinical 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 responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lewiston ME?

Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston (English pronunciation: /ˈluːɪstən/, French pronunciation: /ˈluːɪstə/;[6] officially the City of Lewiston, Maine)[7] is the second largest city in Maine and the most central city in Androscoggin County.[8] The city borders the coastal sideways of the Gulf of Maine and is south of Augusta, the state's capital and north of Portland, the cultural hub of Maine. It is one-half of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly referred to as "L.A." or "L-A."[9] Lewiston exerts a significant impact upon the diversity, religious variety, commerce, education, and economic power of Maine. It is known for a relatively low cost of living, substantial access to medical care, and an extremely low violent crime rate.[10][11] While the dominant language spoken in the city is English, it is home to the largest French-speaking population in the United States (by population) while it is second to St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, in percentage of speakers.[12][13][14]

The Lewiston area traces its roots to 1669 with the early presence of the Androscoggin tribe (the namesake of the county the city resides in). In the late 18th century, the area slowly became populated by New French families and was incorporated as "Lewistown" in 1795.[15] The presence of the Androscoggin River and Lewistown Falls made the town an attractive area for manufacturing and hydro-power businesses. The rise of Boston rail and textile tycoon Benjamin Bates saw rapid economic growth rivaling that of Cambridge, Worcester, and Concord. The increase in economic stimulus prompted thousands of Quebecers to migrate causing a population boom; the populace rose from 1,801 in 1840 to 21,701 in 1890. In 1855, local preacher Oren Burbank Cheney founded the Maine State Seminary, the first coeducational university in New England and one of the first universities to admit black students before the Emancipation Proclamation. Lewistown quickly became associated with the liberal arts and was incorporated as "Lewiston" in 1864, a year before the college was chartered as Bates College.

The city is home to the only basilica in Maine, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 15 colleges and universities, 44 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, the Androscoggin Bank Colisée, the Stephens Observatory, the Olin Arts Center, the Bates College Museum of Art (BCMoA) and two significant general hospitals: Central Maine Medical Center and Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.

The Lewiston area was formerly inhabited by peoples of the Androscoggin (or Arosaguntacook) tribe. The Androscoggins were a tribe of the Abenaki nation. Facing annihilation from English attacks and epidemics of new infectious diseases, the Androscoggins started to emigrate to Quebec circa 1669. They were driven out of the area in 1680, sometime after King Philip's War (1675-1676). The governor of New France allocated two seigneuries on the Saint Francis River which is now known as the Odanak Indian Reservation; and the second was founded near Bécancour and is called the Wolinak Indian Reservation.

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Pick the Right Dental Hygienist School near Lewiston ME

Selecting the right dental hygienist course is crucial if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options available 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, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately two years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. 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 selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lewiston ME.