Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Mercer Island WA 98040

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist College near Mercer Island Washington

Mercer Island WA dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near Mercer Island WA is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account as well, 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 finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Mercer Island WA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting 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 assists the Mercer Island WA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

Removing tartar, stains and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Instructing patients about oral care
Taking X-rays and developing film
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 Examination as well as any state licensure exams. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Mercer Island WA dental offices are normally 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 almost 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| Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Mercer Island WA Selecting an online dental hygienist program may be a good option for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Mercer Island WA home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Mercer Island WA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Mercer Island WA, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online options as well. Although these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist 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 good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. In order 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. Mercer Island WA employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not offered for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you select offers enough 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, verify that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Mercer Island WA dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are considering have internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal method to get hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form professional relationships in the Mercer Island WA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Mercer Island WA dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Smaller? Check with the schools you are evaluating how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Mercer Island WA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant 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 schools, remember to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Mercer Island WA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Mercer Island WA at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Mercer Island WA?

Mercer Island, Washington

Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States located on an island of the same name in the southern portion of Lake Washington. Mercer Island is in the Seattle Metropolitan Area,[6] with Seattle located to its west and Bellevue located to its east.

Mercer Island is connected to the mainland on either side via bridges carrying Interstate 90. The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and the parallel Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge are floating bridges that span Lake Washington and carry, respectively, eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 90 and connect Mercer Island to the northern portion of Seattle's South End (more specifically, I-90 has Leschi to the north and Mount Baker to the south). I-90 traverses the northern portion of Mercer Island and is then carried from the island to Bellevue over the East Channel of Lake Washington by the East Channel Bridge. Mercer Island is located closer to Bellevue than it is to Seattle, and is therefore often considered to be part of the King County's Eastside.

The population was 22,699 at the 2010 census.[7] The population was 22,720 at 2013 Estimate from Office of Financial Management. This makes Mercer Island the most populated island in a lake within the United States.[8][better source needed] The ZIP code 98040 is unique to Mercer Island.[9] Mercer Island has the fifth highest per-capita income in the state of Washington and is one of the 100 richest ZIP codes in the USA according to the IRS figures for Adjusted Gross Income.[10]

Mercer Island, named for the Mercer family of Seattle, was first settled between 1870 and 1880. The Mercer brothers often rowed between the island and Seattle to pick berries, hunt, and fish. Those brothers, Thomas Mercer and Asa Mercer, were members of the Mercer family of Virginia. The first large settlement, East Seattle, was toward the northwest side of the island—near the McGilvra neighborhood. During 1889, a C C Calkins built a large and gilded resort, the Calkins Hotel. The hotel was reached via steamboat between Madison Park, Leschi Park, and the Eastside. Guests included President Benjamin Harrison, of 1901, amongst other well-to-do dignitaries from Seattle to the Eastcoast of the USA. Burnt by a mysterious fire, the hotel was razed during 1908.

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Enroll in the Best Dental Hygienist College near Mercer Island WA

Picking the ideal dental hygienist course is essential if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of 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 education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require roughly 2 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 choose to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Mercer Island WA.