Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Willow Grove PA 19090

How to Select a Dental Hygienist School near Willow Grove Pennsylvania

Willow Grove PA dental hygienist with patient Choosing the ideal dental hygienist college near Willow Grove PA is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than selecting the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to take into account also, such as the program’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 two to three years to finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating 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

Willow Grove PA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Willow Grove PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

Removing tartar, stains and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Educating 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 Examination as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Willow Grove PA dental practices are normally 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 complete 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 aspect to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Willow Grove PA Selecting an online dental hygienist school might be a great option for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your Willow Grove PA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The practical training can usually be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the right option for you.

Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Willow Grove PA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Willow Grove PA, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online alternatives as well. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Willow Grove PA employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Willow Grove PA dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to get hands-on, practical 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 Willow Grove PA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Willow Grove PA dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classrooms Small? Find out from the programs you are looking at how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Willow Grove PA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.

What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But along with 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 add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Willow Grove PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Willow Grove PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Willow Grove PA?

Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

Willow Grove is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Upper Dublin Township, Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township. Willow Grove was once known for Willow Grove Park, an amusement park that was open from 1896 to 1976, now the site of Willow Grove Park Mall. Willow Grove is considered an edge city of Philadelphia with large amounts of retail and office space.[3]

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove was located northwest of the Willow Grove CDP in Horsham Township.[4] NAS JRB Willow Grove transitioned into Horsham Air National Guard Station in September 2011.[citation needed]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2), of which 0.28% is water. It has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and its hardiness zone is 7a.

As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 81.4% White, 8.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 1.1% were Some Other Race, and 2.3% were two or more races. 3.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[6]

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Select the Right Dental Hygienist College near Willow Grove PA

Selecting the right dental hygienist program is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options available to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Willow Grove PA.