Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Fenton MI 48430 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Fenton Michigan

Fenton MI dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Fenton MI is an essential initial step toward beginning 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 school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. There are other important issues to take into account also, including the college’s reputation and accreditation. 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 complete. Obviously with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Fenton MI 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 on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Fenton MI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees 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 may include:

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

In order to be licensed in almost 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 regarded as fully licensed and can 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 Fenton MI 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 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| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Fenton MI Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a good alternative for getting your education. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Fenton MI home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can usually be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the best option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Fenton MI dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Fenton MI, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for several online alternatives as well. Even though these may be significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually 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 guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Fenton MI employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited schools.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have relationships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Fenton MI dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal method 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Fenton MI dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the schools you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Fenton MI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. 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 analyzing the cost of schools, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Fenton MI area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Fenton MI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Fenton MI?

Fenton, Michigan

It was first established in 1834 and was originally named Dibbleville after Clark Dibble, one of the first settlers. It was platted in 1837 as Fentonville by William M. Fenton[6] who would later become lieutenant-governor of Michigan. When the settlement was incorporated as a village in 1863 the name Fenton was used.[7] The settlement's post office used the name Fentonville from 1837 until 1886, when it adopted the current name.

In the 1970s, the city leveled its downtown buildings and closed Leroy Street as part of an urban renewal plan.[8] On August 24, 2007, an EF2 tornado hit Fenton, damaging several homes and a school, and almost completely destroying the soon to be opened Tractor Supply Company, tearing off its roof. This caused many people to go without power, leaving the city in a state of emergency. There were no fatalities or serious injuries.[9] In July 2011, the first proposed building, Cornerstone, to restore the city's old downtown area was announced.[8] A renovation and expansion of the Old Fire Hall converted it into a restaurant named Fenton Fire Hall in December 2013.

As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,756.[10] The city was incorporated from Fenton Township in Genesee County, and the city and township are administratively autonomous. Fenton includes several historic buildings. It was home to the first aviation school in Michigan and the A.J. Phillips Fenton Museum.[11][12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.00 square miles (18.13 km2), of which 6.68 square miles (17.30 km2) is land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) is water.[1] Most of the city is in Genesee County. The city has also annexed approximately 56 acres (0.23 km2) in Livingston County. Approximately 1.5 acres (0.0061 km2) was formerly used as the city dump. The Tipsico Lake Project is a brownfield redevelopment project to restore the land and surrounding area.[13] Small portions of the city also extend into Oakland County and Livingston County.

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Pick the Right Dental Hygienist School near Fenton MI

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives available to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When earning a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Fenton MI.