How to Select a Dental Hygienist College near Merrillan Wisconsin
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist college near Merrillan WI is an important initial 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 much more to completing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. There are other significant factors to consider as well, for instance the program’s reputation and accreditation. Dental hygienists typically 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 more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
The Job of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Merrillan WI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each 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
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Teaching patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Applying fillings and removing sutures
In order to be licensed 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 Exam as well as any state licensure exams. After they have completed these requirements they are deemed 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 Merrillan WI dental offices are usually 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 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 clinical aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs
Selecting an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for obtaining your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your Merrillan WI home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The clinical training can usually be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the best choice for you.
Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Merrillan WI, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for some online options also. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Merrillan WI employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Merrillan WI dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to get hands-on, practical 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 establish professional relationships in the Merrillan WI dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need help obtaining their first job. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Merrillan WI dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the programs you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Merrillan WI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Merrillan WI area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Merrillan WI at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Merrillan WI?
Merrillan, Wisconsin
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.34 square miles (3.47 km2), of which, 1.26 square miles (3.26 km2) of it is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) is water.[1]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 542 people, 241 households, and 152 families residing in the village. The population density was 430.2 inhabitants per square mile (166.1/km2). There were 318 housing units at an average density of 252.4 per square mile (97.5/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 86.5% White, 2.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 6.1% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.8% of the population.
There were 241 households of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.70.
The median age in the village was 44.9 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.6% were from 45 to 64; and 20.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
Select the Right Dental Hygienist School near Merrillan WI
Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is crucial if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options available to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Merrillan WI.
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