How to Select a Dental Hygienist College near Shattuck Oklahoma
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist college near Shattuck OK is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than selecting the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to consider also, such as the school’s accreditation and reputation. 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 complete. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will talk about all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
The Role of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Shattuck OK practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- Applying 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 almost 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 Examination in addition to passing any state licensure examinations. After they have fulfilled 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 additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Shattuck OK dental offices 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 almost 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.
Dental Hygienist Online Programs
Choosing an online dental hygienist program might be a great option for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Shattuck OK home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can often be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the ideal choice for you.
Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Shattuck OK, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they look for some online alternatives also. Even though these are relevant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Shattuck OK 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 colleges.
Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with area dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you enroll in 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, make sure that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Shattuck OK dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective means to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Shattuck OK dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help landing their first job. Ask if the programs you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Shattuck OK dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Ask the schools you are interested in how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Shattuck OK dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Shattuck OK area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to go to classes near Shattuck OK in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Shattuck OK?
Shattuck, Oklahoma
Shattuck is located in what was once the Cherokee Outlet.[4] The Southern Kansas Railway built a railroad through the area in 1887, and there was a railroad water station called "Norice" on the site that later became Shattuck.[4] Non-Indian settlers first arrived in the Land Run of 1893.[4] Around the railroad station, new businesses opened to support the farmers, including a blacksmith shop, a store, a school, and a post office.[4] The post office, which was incorporated in November 1893, was named Shattuck after a Santa Fe Railroad director.[4] The town site was plotted 1901, and the town was incorporated in 1906.[4]
Shattuck is located west of the center of Ellis County at 36°16′21″N 99°52′34″W / 36.27250°N 99.87611°W / 36.27250; -99.87611 (36.272596, -99.876217).[5]U.S. Route 283 passes through the center of town, leading north 30 miles (48 km) to Laverne and south 15 miles (24 km) to Arnett, the Ellis county seat. Oklahoma State Highway 15 passes through the southeast part of Shattuck, leading northeast 30 miles (48 km) to Woodward. The Texas border is 7 miles (11 km) west of Shattuck.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,274 people, 567 households, and 369 families residing in the town. The population density was 880.5 people per square mile (339.2/km²). There were 699 housing units at an average density of 483.1 per square mile (186.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.76% White, 1.57% Native American, 0.86% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.85% of the population. There were 567 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.74.
In the town, the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist College near Shattuck OK
Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Shattuck OK.
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