How to Select a Dental Hygienist Training Program near New Ellenton South Carolina
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist program near New Ellenton SC is an essential initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than choosing the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your home. There are other important issues to consider also, such as 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 two to three years to complete. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will talk about all of these concerns and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
The Job of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the New Ellenton SC dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Instructing patients about oral hygiene
- Taking and developing X-rays
- 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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensure exams. After they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in New Ellenton SC dental offices are often 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 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Online Dental Hygienist Training
Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a viable alternative for getting your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your New Ellenton SC home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical training can often be performed at an area 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 discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best option for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in New Ellenton SC, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options as well. Even though these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the schools you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. 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 college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. New Ellenton SC employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not offered for non-accredited schools.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist programs have associations with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local New Ellenton SC dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal method 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools require assistance getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the New Ellenton SC dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the schools you are interested in how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the New Ellenton SC dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the New Ellenton SC area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near New Ellenton SC in the evenings 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 need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near New Ellenton SC?
New Ellenton, South Carolina
New Ellenton was formed from the citizens of Ellenton, a farming town chartered in 1880 and situated on the Charleston and Western Carolina Railway in Barnwell County near the Aiken County line. Upon the approval of President Truman in 1950 of the Savannah River Site for the production of hydrogen bombs, the U.S. government forced 6,000 people in the surrounding area to move. The residents of Ellenton literally moved their homes and buildings 14 miles (23 km) north to New Ellenton after being evicted in the 1950s.
New Ellenton is located at 33°25′17″N 81°40′51″W / 33.42139°N 81.68083°W / 33.42139; -81.68083 (33.421311, −81.680856)[4] in southern Aiken County, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site. South Carolina Highway 19 is Main Street for the community, leading north 10 miles (16 km) to Aiken, the county seat, and south 1 mile to U.S. Route 278, which leads west 17 miles (27 km) to Augusta, Georgia, and southeast 24 miles (39 km) to Barnwell.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,250 people, 876 households, and 616 families residing in the town. The population density was 449.4 people per square mile (173.4/km²). There were 1,079 housing units at an average density of 215.5 per square mile (83.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 60.62% White, 35.82% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.89% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.18% of the population.
There were 876 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.
Choose the Ideal Dental Hygienist College near New Ellenton SC
Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous alternatives available to obtain your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs normally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies before they enter 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 provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in New Ellenton SC.
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