Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Auburn PA 17922 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Program near Auburn Pennsylvania

Auburn PA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist school near Auburn PA is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account as well, for instance the college’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 2 to 3 years to accomplish. Naturally with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Duties of Dental Hygienists

Auburn PA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Auburn PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

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

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 as well as any state licensure examinations. After they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Auburn PA dental offices are generally 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 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 clinical component to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Auburn PA Choosing an online dental hygienist college can be a good option for receiving your training. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Auburn PA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Many may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The practical training can typically be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist school is the best option for you.

Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Auburn PA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Auburn PA, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for several online options also. Although these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs 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 best dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Auburn PA employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you enroll in 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, confirm that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Auburn PA dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective 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 establish professional relationships in the Auburn PA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Auburn PA dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Check with the programs you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Auburn PA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical 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 expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Auburn PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must attend classes near Auburn PA 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 making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Auburn PA?

Auburn, Pennsylvania

The area was historically known as the "Scotchman's Lock". The first house in what is today Auburn was built in the late 1830s by a boatman named Samuel Moyer, who also operated a store there. In 1842, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad reached the area, at which point the area's official name was changed to "Auburn". The Susquehanna and Schuylkill Railroad reached Auburn in 1857. The first post office in Auburn was built in 1846 and the first school was set up in 1845.[4]

Auburn is located at 40°35′45″N 76°5′34″W / 40.59583°N 76.09278°W / 40.59583; -76.09278 (40.595715, -76.092642).[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), of which 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) is land and 0.60% is water.

The borough's terrain is steeply hilly in the north and gently hilly in the south. Auburn's land is mostly forest, with some residential and agricultural areas. The Schuylkill River runs through Auburn. The borough is served by Pennsylvania Route 895.[6]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 839 people, 325 households, and 242 families residing in the borough. The population density was 505.4 people per square mile (195.1/km²). There were 340 housing units at an average density of 204.8 per square mile (79.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.93% White, 0.83% African American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.12% from two or more races.

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Enroll in the Best Dental Hygienist Program near Auburn PA

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to acquire your training and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Auburn PA.