Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Schofield WI 54476 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near Schofield Wisconsin

Schofield WI dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist college near Schofield WI is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to examine and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than picking the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account also, including 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. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these issues and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of Dental Hygienists

Schofield WI pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role 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 assists the Schofield WI dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Applying fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Instructing patients regarding oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensure exams. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Schofield 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 nearly 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 component to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in Schofield WI Selecting an online dental hygienist school can be a good option for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Schofield WI home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The practical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Schofield WI dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Schofield WI, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Possibly they look for some online options also. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually 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 establish that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Schofield WI employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited schools.

Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like 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 Schofield WI dental office that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to receive 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 professional relationships in the Schofield WI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Schofield WI dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Smaller? Check with the programs you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Schofield WI dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Schofield WI area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Schofield WI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Schofield WI?

Schofield, Wisconsin

Schofield is a city in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,169 at the 2010 census.[6] The city was named for Dr. William Scholfield, who came to the area in the 1840s to open a saw mill. The city has since dropped the "L" from its name.[7]

Schofield is located along the eastern shore of Lake Wausau, an impoundment of the Wisconsin River. Schofield also contains the Eau Claire Flowage and Eau Claire River (not to be confused with the Eau Claire River of Eau Claire, WI), which flows into Lake Wausau at Schofield. Schofield is directly south of Wausau, and is generally separated from the city by the Wausau Downtown Airport. An inner suburb of Wausau, Schofield is bordered by Rothschild, Weston, and the Town of Weston. Lake Wausau and Wausau serve as its western and northern borders. Schofield is located at 44°54′55″N 89°36′43″W / 44.91528°N 89.61194°W / 44.91528; -89.61194 (44.915201, -89.612004).[8]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 2,169 people, 994 households, and 549 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,232.4 inhabitants per square mile (475.8/km2). There were 1,099 housing units at an average density of 624.4 per square mile (241.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.1% White, 1.2% African American, 0.8% Native American, 5.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 994 households of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.8% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

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Choose the Best Dental Hygienist School near Schofield WI

Choosing the right dental hygienist course is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options available to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal selection. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Schofield WI.