Dental Hygienist Colleges Near Me in Siler City NC 27344 Archives

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Siler City North Carolina

Siler City NC dental hygienist with patient Picking the right dental hygienist college near Siler City NC is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other crucial factors to take into account also, including the program’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. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these issues and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Role of a Dental Hygienist

Siler City NC pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Siler City NC practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
Removing sutures and applying fillings

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 Examination in addition to passing any state licensure exams. After they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Siler City NC dental practices are generally required to hold 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 clinical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Schools

attending dental hygienist school online in Siler City NC Selecting an online dental hygienist college might be a viable alternative for receiving your education. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Siler City NC home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can typically be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online program is the ideal option for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Siler City NC dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Siler City NC, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. 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 college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Siler City NC employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.

Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have associations with area dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you choose offers 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, confirm that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Siler City NC dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to receive hands-on, clinical 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 develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require assistance getting their first job. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Siler City NC dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the programs you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Siler City NC dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 examining the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Siler City NC area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Siler City NC in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Siler City NC?

Siler City, North Carolina

The town was the retirement home and burial location of actress Frances Bavier (1902–1989), best remembered for her role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show, a television sitcom in the 1960s set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. Siler City was featured in episode 140 (season 5 episode 13) of The Andy Griffith Show (December 14, 1964) as the place where Andy and Helen were taken by a game warden for fishing without a license.[6]

Most recently, the town served as the backdrop for Paul Cuadros' book, A Home on the Field, a true story about his experience coaching a Hispanic high school soccer team to a state championship in spite of adversity.[7][8] In recent years, Siler City has become a suburb of Greensboro and the Research Triangle Park.

The Bowen-Jordan Farm, Cadmus N. Bray House, Bray-Paschal House, East Raleigh Street Historic District, Gregson-Hadley House, Former High Point Bending and Chair Company, Hotel Hadley, North Third Avenue Historic District, Siler City City Hall, Siler City Commercial Historic District, Siler City High School, Snipes-Fox House, William Teague House, and Burdett Woody House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[9][10]

Siler City is located in western Chatham County at 35°43′34″N 79°27′47″W / 35.72611°N 79.46306°W / 35.72611; -79.46306 (35.726030, -79.462962).[11]U.S. Route 64 passes through the northern part of the town as 11th Street, leading east 16 miles (26 km) to Pittsboro, the Chatham County seat, and west 21 miles (34 km) to Asheboro. U.S. Route 421 bypasses Siler City to the northeast, with access from Exits 168, 171, and 174. US 421 leads northwest 32 miles (51 km) to Greensboro and southeast 24 miles (39 km) to Sanford.

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Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Siler City NC

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives offered to obtain 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 community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal selection. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Siler City NC.