Choosing the ideal dental hygienist college near Maple Park IL is an essential first 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 completing your due diligence than selecting the training with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account also, for instance the program’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 finish. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these factors and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of Dental Hygienists

When contrasting the duties 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 in support of the Maple Park IL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

• Removing tartar, stains and plaque
• Administering fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Instructing patients regarding oral care
• Taking X-rays and developing film
• 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. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Maple Park IL dental practices are normally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. And in addition to classroom studies learning the fundamentals of dental hygiene, there will be a clinical aspect to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs

Choosing an online dental hygienist program might be a great alternative for obtaining your training. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Maple Park IL home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. 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 receive the proper education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist school is the best option for you.

What to Ask Dental  Hygienist Programs

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Maple Park IL, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for some online alternatives also. Even though these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school 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. Maple Park IL employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital component of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the school you enroll in offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Maple Park IL dental office that specializes in dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are probably the best method to receive hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help getting their first job. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Maple Park IL dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Ask the schools you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Maple Park IL dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

 What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Maple Park IL area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Maple Park IL at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Maple Park IL?

Pick the Right Dental Hygienist School near Maple Park IL

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is crucial if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs typically earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Maple Park IL.

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