Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near Joliet IL is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. There are other significant issues to consider also, for instance the school’s reputation and accreditation. 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. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

When comparing the job 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 in support of the Joliet IL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

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

To qualify for licensing in almost 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 Examination as well as any state licensing exams. When they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Because of the added responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Joliet IL dental offices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost every state. They are offered in trade and vocational schools as well as community colleges. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a clinical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

Choosing an online dental hygienist school can be a viable option for receiving your training. Just remember 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 desktop computer in the convenience of your Joliet IL home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Joliet IL, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, many students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online options as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Joliet IL employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Joliet IL dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are considering have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Joliet IL dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Check with the schools you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Joliet IL dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

 What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary 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 whether they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial 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 schools, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Joliet IL area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and must go to classes near Joliet IL 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 protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Joliet IL?

Find the Right Dental Hygienist School near Joliet IL

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 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 choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Joliet IL.

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