Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Oak Harbor WA 98277 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist School near Oak Harbor Washington

Oak Harbor WA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist program near Oak Harbor WA is an important 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 selecting the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other crucial issues to consider also, such as the school’s accreditation and reputation. 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 finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Function of a Dental Hygienist

Oak Harbor WA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Oak Harbor WA 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 every patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

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

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 also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensure exams. Once 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 Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Oak Harbor WA dental practices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Oak Harbor WA Choosing an online dental hygienist college might be a good alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Oak Harbor WA home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the best option for you.

Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Oak Harbor WA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Oak Harbor WA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online options also. Even though these are important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite 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 guarantee that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Oak Harbor WA employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.

Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you choose offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Oak Harbor WA dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best method to obtain hands-on, clinical 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 create professional relationships in the Oak Harbor WA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help landing 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 high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Oak Harbor WA dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are looking at how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Oak Harbor WA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools 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 commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Oak Harbor WA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near Oak Harbor WA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Oak Harbor WA?

Oak Harbor, Washington

Oak Harbor is Whidbey Island's largest incorporated city. Named for the Garry Oak trees which grace its skyline. The city's growth coincided with two major events: the building of Deception Pass Bridge on July 31, 1935, and the completion of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on September 21, 1942. Oak Harbor's history goes back to the early 1850s, when two settlers staked claims where the city now stands—Zakarias Toftezen, a shoemaker from Norway; C.W. Sumner from New England.[5]

Houses and businesses sprouted up along the shores of Oak Harbor as the pioneers relied entirely on water transportation until the 1900s. For the next thirty years, steamers and freighters carried passengers and freight from the Island to the mainland and back as well as Fidalgo Island to the north.

The Irish came in the late 1850s, making Oak Harbor grow and prosper as they fished and farmed the area, and the city's Dutch heritage arrived in the 1890s. Churches, schools, and more businesses followed the arrival of the Dutch. A high school was built in 1906. Oak Harbor flourished as a small country town until Deception Pass Bridge and the U.S. Navy Base connected the city to the rest of the region and the world.

Deception Pass Bridge, a National Historic Monument since 1982, is actually two spans that link Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island over Canoe Pass and Deception Pass. The bridge, one of the scenic wonders and destinations of the Pacific Northwest, was a Public Works Administration project built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deception Pass State Park has over 4,100 acres (17 km2) of forest, campsites, trails, and scenic vistas of the San Juan Islands, Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), Mount Baker, and Fidalgo Island.

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Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Oak Harbor WA

Picking the right dental hygienist course is imperative 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 options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Oak Harbor WA.