Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Naples ME 04055 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Naples Maine

Naples ME dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Naples ME is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than selecting the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to take into account as well, for instance the college’s reputation and accreditation. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to finish. Naturally with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Function of a Dental Hygienist

Naples ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Naples ME practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each 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 may include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Teaching 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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensure examinations. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Naples 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 complete 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 practical component to the training as well| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Naples ME Choosing an online dental hygienist school might be a viable alternative for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Naples ME home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can typically 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 appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the best choice for you.

Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Naples ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Naples ME, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many prospective students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online options also. Although these may be significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Naples ME employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Naples ME dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal way to get hands-on, practical 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 form professional relationships in the Naples ME dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Naples ME dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classrooms Smaller? Check with the schools you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Naples ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools 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 expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, remember to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Naples 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 fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Naples ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Naples ME?

Naples, Maine

Naples is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 3,872 at the 2010 census,[5] and it is home to part of Sebago Lake State Park. Naples is a resort area.

The area was settled in 1790. Farming was limited by the soil, which consisted of gravelly loam, its surface strewn with glacial erratic boulders. The uplands, however, provided good grazing for livestock, and hay became the principal crop.[6]

Named for Naples, Italy,[7] the town was incorporated on March 4, 1834,[8] from parts of Otisfield, Harrison, Raymond and Bridgton. Between 1845 and 1856, it annexed more land from Sebago, Otisfield and Bridgton. The Songo Lock, completed two years before town incorporation, linked Long Lake and Brandy Pond with Sebago Lake, allowing passage of boats from Harrison to Portland through the Cumberland and Oxford Canal in Standish. A canning factory and cooperage were established at Naples village. The community also produced carriages, men's and boy's clothing, boots and shoes.[9]

The beautiful scenery of the lakes, however, would make tourism the dominant industry. Visitors in the 19th century included Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne. To accommodate his passengers, Charles L. Goodridge of the Sebago Lake, Songo River & Bay of Naples Steamship Company built a hostelry on a knoll at the southern end of Long Lake. On July 26, 1899, the Bay of Naples Inn opened with 80 bedrooms. It was designed by John Calvin Stevens, who reduced by two-fifths a plan originally created for the ill-fated Metallak Hotel in Colebrook, New Hampshire. While under construction, the Metallak was destroyed in April 1893 during a violent windstorm, and its investors abandoned the project. The Bay of Naples Inn, which faced Mount Washington and the east side of the White Mountains, was a popular resort during the early 20th century. Automobile tourists began arriving after designation of the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway in 1919 (identified as United States Route 302 since 1935).[10] The Bay of Naples Inn remained open through the 1951 season, but in 1964 was deemed unprofitable and razed.[11]

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Choose the Best Dental Hygienist School near Naples ME

Selecting the ideal dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options offered to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the best choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Naples ME.