Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Glen Arbor MI 49636 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist Program near Glen Arbor Michigan

Glen Arbor MI dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist school near Glen Arbor MI is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to consider as well, such as the program’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists typically 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 cost. We will talk about all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Job of Dental Hygienists

Glen Arbor MI pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Glen Arbor MI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

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

To qualify for licensing in nearly 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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensure exams. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Glen Arbor MI dental practices 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 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 offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Glen Arbor MI Selecting an online dental hygienist school may be a great option for obtaining your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Glen Arbor MI home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to get the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the ideal option for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Glen Arbor MI dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Glen Arbor MI, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Possibly they search for some online options also. Although these may be significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the schools you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Glen Arbor MI employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type 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 program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Glen Arbor MI dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to get hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Glen Arbor MI dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Glen Arbor MI dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the schools you are looking at how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Glen Arbor MI dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.

What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs 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 analyzing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Glen Arbor MI area.

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

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Glen Arbor MI?

Glen Arbor Township, Michigan

Glen Arbor Township is a civil township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 229 at the 2010 census. However, the population of the town expands rapidly during the summer months as a result of it being a summer colony.

John LaRue moved from South Manitou Island to the area of the Sleeping Bear Bay that would eventually become the town in 1848. After establishing a trading post, subsequent settlers began to move to the area with one, Mrs. John E. Fisher, giving the town the name "Glen Arbor" in 1854. Other prominent settlers were John Dorsey, who set up a cooper shop, and C.C. McCarty, who built the Sleeping Bear Inn, originally as a residence for lumbermen. Additionally, George Ray built a dock in 1856 and became the settlement’s first postmaster and W. D. Burdick established a sawmill and grist mill nearby in 1864. In 1878, D. H. Day, a land developer and agent for the Northern Transportation Company, took interest in Glen Arbor. Day serves as the namesake for the historic barn that sits opposite of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The town's economy was largely based around the lumber industry in the mid 19th century. Wood became the first commodity of Leelanau County as it was used for constructing houses and for fueling the steamers that traversed the Great Lakes. The increase of maritime traffic and the constant threat of shipwrecks along the Manitou Strait led the U.S. Life-Saving Service to establish a small boat station at Sleeping Bear Point in 1901. In 1931, the U.S. Coast Guard moved the facility eastward to its present location near Glen Haven, then closed it in 1944. The station is now a maritime museum that is run by the National Park Service.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 87.6 square miles (227 km2), of which 28.6 square miles (74 km2) is land and 59.0 square miles (153 km2) (67.34%) is water. It is located along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which was recently named the "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America.[5] The town is bordered by Glen Lake to its East and Lake Michigan to its West. Glen Lake is a popular destination for tourists due to its warm turquoise blue waters. The 6.3 mile long Crystal River (Michigan) passes through many points of the township during its duration which spans from Glen Lake to Lake Michigan. The river is popular among fly fisherman and kayakers who enjoy its clear water and pristine wildlife.

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Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist School near Glen Arbor MI

Choosing the right dental hygienist program is essential if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. 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 presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Glen Arbor MI.