Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lewiston ID 83501

Brian — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:00:04 +0000

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near Lewiston Idaho

Selecting the right dental hygienist school near Lewiston ID is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than selecting the training with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to consider also, for instance the college’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 2 to 3 years to complete. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are assessing 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 duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Lewiston ID dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth 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 plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking X-rays and developing film
Removing sutures and applying fillings

In order to be licensed 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. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

As a result of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Lewiston ID dental practices are normally 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 complete 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| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Colleges

Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a viable option for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the convenience of your Lewiston ID home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to school, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can often be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lewiston ID, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for several online options also. Even though these are significant initial points to consider, 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 evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in nearly 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 ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Lewiston ID employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have associations with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you select provides sufficient 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, make sure that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lewiston ID dental office that focuses on dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Check if the programs you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lewiston ID dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the colleges you are evaluating how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Lewiston ID dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools 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 expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Lewiston ID area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and must attend classes near Lewiston ID at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lewiston ID?

Lewiston, Idaho

Lewiston is a city in north central Idaho and the county seat of Nez Perce County.[4] It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene, and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Nez Perce County and Asotin County, Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population of Lewiston was 31,894, up from 30,904 in 2000.

Lewiston is located at the confluence of the Snake River and Clearwater River, thirty miles (48 km) southeast of the Lower Granite Dam. Because of dams (and their locks) on the Snake and Columbia River, Lewiston is reachable by some ocean-going vessels. The Port of Lewiston (Idaho's only seaport) has the distinction of being the farthest inland port east of the West Coast of the United States. The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport serves the city by air.

Lewiston was founded 157 years ago in 1861 in the wake of a gold rush which began the previous year near Pierce, northeast of Lewiston. In 1863, Lewiston became the first capital of the newly created Idaho Territory. Its stint as seat of the new territory's government was short-lived, as a resolution to have the capital moved south to Boise was passed by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on December 7, 1864.

Lewiston’s main industries are agriculture, paper, and timber products, and light manufacturing. Ammunition manufacturing maintains a very important and growing presence in Lewiston, being the headquarters of ammunition makers CCI and Speer Bullet. The city is the primary regional transportation, retail, health care, and entertainment center of the surrounding area and serves as a recreation destination for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

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Choose the Best Dental Hygienist School near Lewiston ID

Picking the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several 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 community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lewiston ID.