Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Okemos MI 48805 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist School near Okemos Michigan

Okemos MI dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist program near Okemos MI is an important first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. There are other important issues to consider as well, such as the program’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 accomplish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these factors and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Job of a Dental Hygienist

Okemos MI pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Okemos MI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Applying fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Instructing patients regarding oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. When 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 Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Okemos MI dental practices are often required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take 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 clinical component to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Okemos MI Selecting an online dental hygienist school can be a great alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Okemos MI home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Okemos MI dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Okemos MI, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to reach 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 program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement 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 ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Okemos MI employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you select provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Okemos MI dental office that specializes in dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental colleges you are considering have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to get 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 develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need assistance obtaining their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Okemos MI dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Check with the programs you are evaluating how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Okemos MI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Okemos MI area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Okemos MI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Okemos MI?

Okemos, Michigan

Okemos /ˈoʊkɪməs/ is an unincorporated community in Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and does not have any separate legal existence as a municipality. Local government is provided by the township. The population was 21,369 at the 2010 census.[3]

The settlement of Hamilton was founded in 1839 by Freeman Bray as a trading point with the surrounding Ojibwe people and as a farming community. In 1859, one year following the death of Chief John Okemos (on whose treaty lands the community was built), the area was renamed to honor the Native American chief. "Okemos" is from the Ojibwa ogimaa "chief" plus -s, the diminutive, thus "little chief".

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.9 square miles (43.8 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (43.4 km2) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km2), or 0.87%, are water.[3]

The center of Okemos, referred to by many as "The Four Corners", is located at the intersection of Hamilton and Okemos roads. The most notable business is the Meridian Mall (located on M-43 Grand River Avenue), which is northeast of the Four Corners.

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Select the Best Dental Hygienist Program near Okemos MI

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several alternatives offered to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Okemos MI.