Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Hanover NH 03755 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist School near Hanover New Hampshire

Hanover NH dental hygienist with patient Picking the right dental hygienist college near Hanover NH is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than choosing the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account also, including the school’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 2 to 3 years to finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Job of Dental Hygienists

Hanover NH 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 independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Hanover NH dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Applying fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Instructing 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 Examination 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 Education Options

Due to the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Hanover NH dental offices are usually required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in trade and technical schools as well as community colleges. 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 Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Hanover NH Selecting an online dental hygienist school might be a great option for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Hanover NH home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to receive the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Hanover NH dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hanover NH, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online options also. Although these may be relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually 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 ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Hanover NH employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Hanover NH dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to obtain hands-on, clinical 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 Hanover NH dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Check if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Hanover NH dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the schools you are reviewing how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Hanover NH dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also have an impact. 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include 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 Hanover NH area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and must go to classes near Hanover NH in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Hanover NH?

Hanover, New Hampshire

Hanover is a town along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2010 census.[1]CNN and Money magazine rated Hanover the sixth best place to live in America in 2011,[2] and the second best in 2007.[3] "This just might be the best college town," read the headline of a story in the January–February 2017 issue of Yankee.[4]

The main village of the town, where 8,636 people resided at the 2010 census,[5] is defined as the Hanover census-designated place (CDP), and is located at the junctions of New Hampshire routes 10, 10A, and 120. The town also contains the villages of Etna and Hanover Center.

Hanover was chartered by Governor Benning Wentworth on July 4, 1761, and in 1765–1766 its first European inhabitants arrived, the majority from Connecticut. Although the surface is uneven, the town developed into an agricultural community. Dartmouth College was established in 1769 beside the Common at a village called "the Plain"—an extensive and level tract of land a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Connecticut River, and about 150 feet (46 m) above it.[6]

At one point in its history, the southwest corner of Hanover was known as "Dresden", which in the 1780s joined other disgruntled New Hampshire towns along the Connecticut River that briefly defected to what was then the independent Vermont Republic. For a time, Dresden was capital of the republic.[7] After various political posturings, however, the towns returned to New Hampshire at the heated insistence of George Washington.[8] One remnant of this era is that the name "Dresden" is still used in the Dresden School District, an interstate school district serving both Hanover and Norwich, Vermont—the first and one of the few interstate school districts in the nation.

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Select the Right Dental Hygienist School near Hanover NH

Selecting the right dental hygienist program is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous alternatives available to acquire your education and it takes a relatively 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 generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing 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 Hanover NH.