How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near Teterboro New Jersey
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist school near Teterboro NJ is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than choosing the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home. There are other crucial factors to take into account also, including the college’s accreditation and reputation. 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. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
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The Job of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Teterboro NJ dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each 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 can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Educating patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
To qualify for licensing in almost all states, dental hygienists must graduate 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 examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Training Options
Because of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Teterboro NJ dental offices are generally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish 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 component to the training as well| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Dental Hygienist Online Colleges
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program might be a good alternative for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Teterboro NJ home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist school is the best choice for you.
Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Teterboro NJ, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, a number of prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Teterboro NJ employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential component of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you select offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Teterboro NJ dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective 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 Teterboro NJ dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need assistance getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Teterboro NJ dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Small? Ask the schools you are reviewing how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Teterboro NJ dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Teterboro NJ area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Teterboro NJ in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Teterboro NJ?
Teterboro, New Jersey
Teterboro (/tiːtɜːrbɜːroʊ/ TEE-tər-bər-o[citation needed]) is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 67,[11][12][13] reflecting an increase of 49 (+272.2%) from the 18 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 4 (−18.2%) from the 22 counted in the 1990 Census.[23] As of 2010, it is the fourth-smallest municipality, by population, in New Jersey.[24]
Teterboro is the home of Teterboro Airport (operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) which takes up a majority of the borough, as well as portions of Hasbrouck Heights and Moonachie.[25]
Teterboro was incorporated on March 26, 1917, from land that was originally part of the boroughs of Moonachie, Little Ferry and Lodi Township. The borough was enlarged on July 5, 1918, by the addition of an area annexed from Hasbrouck Heights. The borough was named for Walter C. Teter, a New York investment banker, who had purchased land in 1917 to build a racetrack and developed a 700-acre (280 ha) site, reclaiming marshland and building an airport and an 18-hole golf course.[26][27] The name Teterboro was changed on April 14, 1937, to Bendix Borough, but reverted back to Teterboro Borough on June 1, 1943.[28]
Throughout the borough's history, neighboring municipalities, such as Hasbrouck Heights and South Hackensack, have made repeated attempts to dissolve Teterboro, in hopes of absorbing the town's ratables. Some people have reasoned that the population is too small for the borough to justify its own existence. However, all such attempts have met with failure, due to resistance from residents, business owners and municipal officials. In July 2010, a bill was introduced in the New Jersey state senate in a renewed effort to divide Teterboro among neighboring towns.[29] The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert M. Gordon and Assemblypersons Connie Wagner and Vincent Prieto, stalled in the state Legislature after its introduction, due to opposition from the borough's officials, its residents and business and land owners within the borough, as well as the neighboring municipalities of Moonachie and Hasbrouck Heights.[30] The legality of a 20-year tax abatement proposed by the legislators for Teterboro businesses within the bill, which had been included to alleviate concerns of property owners that taxes could spike if the borough was dissolved, was also called into question.[31]
Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Teterboro NJ
Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options available to acquire your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Teterboro NJ.
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