How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist Training Program near North Woodstock New Hampshire
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist college near North Woodstock NH is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other important issues to consider as well, including the school’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 complete. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.
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The Duties of Dental Hygienists
When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the North Woodstock NH practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:
- Removing plaque, tartar and stains
- 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 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 Examination in addition to passing any state licensing exams. After they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in North Woodstock NH dental practices are often required to have 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 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 practical component to the training as well| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.
Online Dental Hygienist Training
Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a viable option for getting your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your North Woodstock NH home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And additional expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can often be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in North Woodstock NH, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives also. Even though these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to 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 ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. North Woodstock NH employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not available for non-accredited schools.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local North Woodstock NH dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to obtain 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs need assistance landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the North Woodstock NH dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the programs you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the North Woodstock NH dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost depending 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 along with the tuition there are other substantial costs 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 comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the North Woodstock NH area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near North Woodstock NH at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near North Woodstock NH?
North Woodstock, New Hampshire
It is located along the northern boundary of the town of Woodstock, adjacent to the town of Lincoln. The village is centered on the intersection of U.S. Route 3 (Main St.) and New Hampshire Route 112 (Lost River Rd./Kancamagus Highway). Interstate 93 passes through the east portion of the village, with access from Exit 32 (NH 112). I-93 leads south 21 miles (34 km) to Plymouth and north through Franconia Notch 23 miles (37 km) to Littleton. NH 112 leads east on the Kancamagus Highway 36 miles (58 km) to Conway and west through Kinsman Notch 24 miles (39 km) to Woodsville. US-3 is a local road that runs parallel to I-93.
The Pemigewasset River flows past the center of North Woodstock, joined by the East Branch of the Pemigewasset and Moosilauke Brook at the southern limits of the village. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the North Woodstock CDP has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.26 km2), of which 0.84 square miles (2.17 km2) are land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km2), or 3.92%, are water.[1]
As of the census of 2010, there were 528 people, 256 households, and 131 families residing in the CDP. There were 759 housing units, of which 503, or 66.3%, were vacant on Census Day (April 1). 480 of the vacant units were seasonal or vacation properties. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.8% white, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% some other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. 0.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[2]
Of the 256 households in the CDP, 20.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were headed by married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.8% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06, and the average family size was 2.72.[2]
Select the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near North Woodstock NH
Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist program is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several alternatives available to receive your training and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in North Woodstock NH.
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