Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Lake Park GA 31636

Brian — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:59:57 +0000

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist School near Lake Park Georgia

Picking the ideal dental hygienist school near Lake Park GA is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to assess 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 closest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to consider also, including the college’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists usually 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 prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are looking at 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 Duties of a Dental Hygienist

When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Lake Park GA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

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

In order to be licensed in nearly 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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Lake Park GA dental offices are often required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a viable alternative for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Lake Park GA 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 rates than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The clinical training can often be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the best option for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lake Park GA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives as well. Although these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going 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 receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Lake Park GA employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you select provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lake Park GA dental office that focuses on dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to receive hands-on, practical 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 are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need help obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Lake Park GA dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are interested in how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Lake Park GA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant 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 schools, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Lake Park GA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Lake Park GA at nights 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 making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Lake Park GA?

Lake Park, Georgia

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 549 people, 224 households, and 140 families residing in the city. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile (149.3/km²). There were 262 housing units at an average density of 184.0 per square mile (71.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.15% White, 15.66% African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.19% of the population.

There were 224 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,359, and the median income for a family was $31,806. Males had a median income of $30,521 versus $17,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,715. About 12.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line.

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Select the Right Dental Hygienist College near Lake Park GA

Selecting the ideal 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 many alternatives offered to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period 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 programs typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lake Park GA.