Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in University Park PA 16802

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist Program near University Park Pennsylvania

University Park PA dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near University Park PA is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than selecting the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to consider also, such as the college’s reputation and accreditation. 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 accomplish. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Function of a Dental Hygienist

University Park PA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the University Park PA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

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

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 licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in University Park PA dental offices are normally 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 complete and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in University Park PA Selecting an online dental hygienist school can be a great option for getting your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your University Park PA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The practical training can often be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this mode of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the best choice for you.

What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by University Park PA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in University Park PA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online alternatives as well. Although these are significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. University Park PA employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you enroll in 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, confirm that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local University Park PA dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to obtain 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 professional relationships in the University Park PA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help obtaining their first job. Check if the programs you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the University Park PA dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the programs you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the University Park PA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the University Park PA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near University Park PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near University Park PA?

Pennsylvania State University

The Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU) is a state-related, land-grant, doctoral university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855, the university has a stated threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service. Its instructional mission[12] includes undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery. Its University Park campus, the flagship campus, lies within the Borough of State College and College Township. It has two law schools: Penn State Law, on the school's University Park campus, and Dickinson Law, located in Carlisle, 90 miles south of State College. The College of Medicine is located in Hershey. Penn State has another 19 commonwealth campuses and 5 special mission campuses located across the state.[13] Penn State has been labeled one of the "Public Ivies," a publicly funded university considered as providing a quality of education comparable to those of the Ivy League.[14][15][16]

Annual enrollment at the University Park campus totals more than 46,800 graduate and undergraduate students, making it one of the largest universities in the United States.[7] It has the world's largest dues-paying alumni association.[17] The university's total enrollment in 2015–16 was approximately 97,500 across its 24 campuses[18] and online through its World Campus.[19]

The university offers more than 160 majors among all its campuses[20] and administers $3.62 billion (as of June 30, 2016) in endowment and similar funds.[21] The university's research expenditures totaled $836 million during the 2016 fiscal year.[22]

Annually, the university hosts the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), which is the world's largest student-run philanthropy.[23] This event is held at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. In 2014, THON raised a program record of $13.3 million.[24] The university's athletics teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the Penn State Nittany Lions. They compete in the Big Ten Conference for most sports.

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Pick the Best Dental Hygienist College near University Park PA

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives available to receive your education and it takes a fairly 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 usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in University Park PA.