How to Pick a Dental Hygienist College near Seal Harbor Maine
Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near Seal Harbor ME is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you must assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account also, such as the program’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 two to three years to accomplish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.
The Job of a Dental Hygienist
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 assists the Seal Harbor ME dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
In order to be licensed 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 licensure exams. Once they have completed 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 increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Seal Harbor ME dental practices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 practical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Training
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college can be a good alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Seal Harbor ME home or elsewhere 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 rates than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Seal Harbor ME, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost 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 establish that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Seal Harbor ME employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you choose provides 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, verify that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Seal Harbor ME dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are considering have internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a professional 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 also.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Seal Harbor ME dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Smaller? Check with the colleges you are reviewing how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Seal Harbor 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 making a commitment.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Seal Harbor ME area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Seal Harbor ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Seal Harbor ME?
Seal Harbor Congregational Church
The former Seal Harbor Congregational Church is a historic church building on Peabody Drive (Maine State Route 3) in Seal Harbor, Maine. It was built in 1902, and is an elegant expression of the Shingle style in a seasonal church building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985; it is now vacant.
The former Seal Harbor Congregational Church is set on the southwest corner of Peabody Drive and Dodge Point Road. The two-story stone and wood building is set facing northeast, toward the junction. It has a gabled roof that descends to the top of the first floor, with large brackets at the sides. The high foundation is of squared quarry-faced stone, and the main floors are finished in wooden shingles, with a belt course separating the floors. The entrance, at the center of the main facade, is set back under a round stone arch that rises from the foundation, and is topped by a curved portico-like roof section. Single windows flank the entrance outside the arch. The second floor windows, a band of four windows, are sheltered by a rounded continuation of the main roof. The windows used in the building are all diamond-paned casement windows.[2]
The church was built in 1902 to provide worship services to the area's summer population; its architect was Grosvenor Atterbury.[3] The church was closed when a year-round church was built in Seal Harbor village, and was rescued from demolition by a local summer resident.[2]
Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near Seal Harbor ME
Selecting the right dental hygienist course is crucial if you want 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 receive your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Seal Harbor ME.
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