Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lansdale PA 19446 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist School near Lansdale Pennsylvania

Lansdale PA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Lansdale PA 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 doing your due diligence than selecting the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to take into account as well, such as the program’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 two to three years to accomplish. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Job of Dental Hygienists

Lansdale PA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Lansdale PA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

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

To qualify for licensing 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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Lansdale PA dental practices are generally required to hold 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 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Lansdale PA Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program can be a great alternative for getting your training. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your Lansdale PA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can typically 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 appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Lansdale PA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lansdale PA, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they look for some online alternatives 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 final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify 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 education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lansdale PA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not available for non-accredited schools.

Is Enough Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential part of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Lansdale PA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to obtain 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 develop professional relationships in the Lansdale PA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at 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 Lansdale PA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Ask the programs you are reviewing how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Lansdale PA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools 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 costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Lansdale PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Lansdale PA 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 protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lansdale PA?

Lansdale, Pennsylvania

Lansdale is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Early in the 20th century, its industries included agricultural implement works, a canning factory, foundries, brickyards, a silk mill, and manufacturers of cigars, stoves, shirts, rope, iron drain pipe, and glue.[citation needed] In 1900, 2,754 people lived here; in 1910, 3,551; and in 1940, 9,316 people were inhabitants of Lansdale. The population was 16,269 at the time of the 2010 census.

The earliest known settlers in Lansdale were members of the Jenkins family. At the peak of its growth, the Jenkins homestead occupied approximately 120 acres of land. The construction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad during the 1850s contributed to rapid growth and expansion in Lansdale. Employment opportunities generated by the railroad brought settlers, housing, and local businesses to the area. By 1872, Lansdale Borough was officially incorporated and named after Phillip Lansdale Fox, chief surveyor of the North Penn Railroad. By the naming conventions of the time, it should have been called Jenkintown, since the land immediately surrounding the train station was owned by the Jenkins family, but there was already a town by that name along the rail line.[3]

Lansdale is home to a Kugel ball, which is a dark grey granite sphere supported by a very thin film of water pumped from beneath its base.[5] The Kugel Ball is located in Railroad Plaza, adjacent to the SEPTA Lansdale/Doylestown Line train station in downtown Lansdale. The plaza consists of a bricked patio with benches centered on the Kugel Ball and closes at 11:00 pm. An annual 5k race is held in June, accordingly named the Kugel Ball race, which starts and ends at the actual Kugel Ball in Railroad Plaza.

As of the 2010 census, the borough was 75.9% White, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 13.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, and 2.7% were two or more races. 5.0% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[9]

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Choose the Best Dental Hygienist School near Lansdale PA

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous alternatives available to obtain 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 programs normally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lansdale PA.