Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lincolnville ME 04849

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist School near Lincolnville Maine

Lincolnville ME dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Lincolnville ME is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to doing your due diligence than selecting the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other important issues to consider also, for instance the college’s accreditation and reputation. 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. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will talk about all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Role of Dental Hygienists

Lincolnville ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Lincolnville ME 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 room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

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

To qualify for licensing in almost 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 Examination in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

As a result of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Lincolnville ME dental practices are usually 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 clinical component to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Lincolnville ME Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school may be a good alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Lincolnville ME home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Many may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And supplementary expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can typically be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Lincolnville ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lincolnville ME, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several 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 requirement in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Lincolnville ME employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the school you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lincolnville ME dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to get hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Lincolnville ME dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges 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. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Lincolnville ME dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal setting for learning where students have greater 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 few classes at the Lincolnville ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Lincolnville ME area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Lincolnville ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lincolnville ME?

Lincolnville, Maine

Approximately 10,000 years ago, a glacier covered the area to a depth of several thousand feet, carving irregular landforms that survive today. The earliest artifact of European origin was fragments of a 1650-1660 clay pipe, probably a trade good with the native population. First settled in 1774, the town was incorporated in 1802 from Canaan and Ducktrap plantations. It was named for General Benjamin Lincoln, a Revolutionary War General and friend of Henry Knox.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.65 square miles (113.05 km2), of which, 37.34 square miles (96.71 km2) is land and 6.31 square miles (16.34 km2) is water.[3] Located along the western side of Penobscot Bay, Lincolnville is drained by the Ducktrap River. Principle bodies of water include: Megunticook Lake, Norton Pond (123 acres), Coleman Pond (225 acres), Moody Pond (61 acres) and Levenseller Pond (34 acres).

The town is served by U.S. Route 1, Maine State Routes 173, 52 and 235. It is bordered by Belmont on the north, Northport on the northeast, Penobscot Bay on the east, Camden on the south, Hope on the west and Searsmont on the northwest.

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 2,164 people, 959 households, and 635 families residing in the town. The population density was 58.0 inhabitants per square mile (22.4/km2). There were 1,465 housing units at an average density of 39.2 per square mile (15.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

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Select the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Lincolnville ME

Picking the right dental hygienist program is imperative 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 many options offered to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the best selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lincolnville ME.