Becoming a Dental Hygienist Near Me in Highland Park NJ 08904 Archives

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Highland Park New Jersey

Highland Park NJ dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist college near Highland Park NJ is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account as well, including the program’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists typically earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to accomplish. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Highland Park NJ pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Highland Park NJ practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Applying fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Instructing patients regarding oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
Applying fillings and removing sutures

To qualify for licensing in nearly all states, dental hygienists must graduate 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 licensing examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

As a result of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Highland Park NJ dental offices are usually required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish 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 practical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Highland Park NJ Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school may be a viable alternative for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Highland Park NJ home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The clinical training can usually be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist school is the ideal option for you.

Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Highland Park NJ dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Highland Park NJ, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. To qualify 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 training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Highland Park NJ employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you enroll in provides 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, verify that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Highland Park NJ dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal means to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Highland Park NJ dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help landing their first job. Check if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Highland Park NJ dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classrooms Smaller? Check with the programs you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Highland Park NJ dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Highland Park NJ area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Highland Park NJ in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Highland Park NJ?

Highland Park, New Jersey

Highland Park is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 13,982,[9][10][11] reflecting a decline of 17 (−0.1%) from the 13,999 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 720 (+5.4%) from the 13,279 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

Highland Park was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1905, when it broke away from what was then known as Raritan Township (present-day Edison).[21] The borough was named for its location above the Raritan River.[22]

The Native American Lenape people hunted on the hilly land along the Raritan River, and their trails crisscrossed the area. In 1685, John Inian bought land on both shores of the Raritan River and built two new landings downstream from the Assunpink Trail's fording place, which was later developed as Raritan Landing. He established a ferry service and the main road then was redirected to lead straight to the ferry landing. This river crossing was run by generations of different owners and a ferry house tavern operated for many years in the 18th century.[23] A toll bridge replaced the ferry in 1795. The wood plank Albany Street Bridge was dismantled in 1848 and reconstructed in 1853. The present day stone arch road bridge was built in 1892. It became the Lincoln Highway Bridge in 1914 and was widened in 1925.[24]

One of the earliest European settlers was Henry Greenland, who owned 384 acres (1.55 km2) of land and operated an inn along the Mill Brook section of the Assunpink Trail during the late 17th century. Others early settlers included George Drake, Reverend John Drake, and Captain Francis Drake, kinsmen of the famous explorer. In the early 18th century, a few wealthy Europeans including the Van Horns and Merrills settled on large tracts of land establishing an isolated farmstead pattern of development that would continue for the next 150 years.[25]

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Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Highland Park NJ

Choosing the right dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options available to receive your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When pursuing a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Highland Park NJ.