Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lisbon ME 04250 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist Program near Lisbon Maine

Lisbon ME dental hygienist with patient Picking the right dental hygienist program near Lisbon ME is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than picking the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant factors to take into account also, for instance the school’s reputation and accreditation. 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 finish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these issues and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Lisbon ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role 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 Lisbon ME practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients regarding oral hygiene
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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in addition to passing any state licensing exams. When 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 Training Options

Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Lisbon ME dental practices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly 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| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Lisbon ME Choosing an online dental hygienist college can be a viable option for getting your training. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Lisbon ME home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Lisbon ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lisbon ME, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, many students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online alternatives also. Although these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the schools 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 best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lisbon ME employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you choose offers enough 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, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Lisbon ME dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental programs you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lisbon ME dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are Classrooms Small? Check with the programs you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Lisbon ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Lisbon ME area.

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

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lisbon ME?

Lisbon, Maine

Lisbon is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,009 at the 2010 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England city and town area. Lisbon includes the village of Lisbon Falls.

The community was originally part of Bowdoin, a township within the Kennebec Purchase. But because travel to attend town meetings was difficult, on June 22, 1799 the General Court of Massachusetts divided Bowdoin in two to create Thompsonborough. Residents, however, soon grew dissatisfied with the long name. Consequently, it would be renamed in 1802 as Lisbon, after Lisbon in Portugal. In 1808, Lisbon annexed the remainder of Little River Plantation (part of the Pejepscot Purchase) as Lisbon Falls. In 1840, part of Lisbon was set off as Webster.[4]

With fertile and easily cultivated soil, farming was an early industry. Sawmills and gristmills were built using water power from the streams. Larger brick mills followed to manufacture textiles. In 1864, the Worumbo Mill was established to produce woolens,[5] and would remain a principal employer until it burned in 1987. Today, the small mill town is largely a bedroom community for companies like Bath Iron Works and L.L.Bean and increasingly for people working in the Portland area.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.82 square miles (61.69 km2), of which 22.82 square miles (59.10 km2) is land and 1.00 square mile (2.59 km2) is water.[1] Lisbon is drained by the Sabattus River, Little River and Androscoggin River.

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Pick the Best Dental Hygienist School near Lisbon ME

Selecting the right dental hygienist program is essential if you want 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 alternatives offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lisbon ME.