How to Pick a Dental Hygienist School near Land o Lakes Wisconsin
Picking the right dental hygienist program near Land o Lakes WI is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. There are other significant issues to consider also, such as the college’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 2 to 3 years to finish. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
The Duties of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Land o Lakes WI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also carry out 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
- Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
In order to be licensed in almost 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 in addition to passing any state licensing exams. When they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Land o Lakes WI dental practices are usually 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 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| Many programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist school may be a great option for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Land o Lakes WI home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical 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 furnished. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.
What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Land o Lakes WI, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the schools you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition 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 ensure that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Land o Lakes WI employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Land o Lakes WI dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal way 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Land o Lakes WI dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Small? Ask the schools you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Land o Lakes WI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Land o Lakes WI area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Land o Lakes WI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Land o Lakes WI?
Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin
The Town of Land o' Lakes is located in north-central Vilas County along the border with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The headwaters of a branch of the Ontonagon River is located in the town at the Cisco Chain of lakes, and the upper part of the Wisconsin River flows through the town, with the headwaters being located just to the east at Lac Vieux Desert. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 95.3 square miles (246.9 km²) of which 83.1 square miles (215.2 km²) is land and 12.2 square miles (31.7 km²) (12.83%) is water. The town is very long and narrow, with the town center, government offices, and most services located in the unincorporated community of Land o' Lakes at the far eastern end of the town.
At the 2010 census,[2] there were 861 people, 433 households and 264 families residing in the town. The population density was 10.6 per square mile (4.1/km²). There were 1,337 housing units at an average density of 16.1 per square mile (6.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.41% White, 0.68% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 0.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.
There were 433 households of which 14.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.57.
Age distribution was 13.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 15 to 24, 15.2% from 25 to 44, 38.3% from 45 to 64, and 28.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 males there were 88.4 females.
Choose the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Land o Lakes WI
Selecting the right dental hygienist program is essential if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options offered to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Land o Lakes WI.
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