Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Robersonville NC 27871

Brian — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:03:19 +0000

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Robersonville North Carolina

Picking the right dental hygienist college near Robersonville NC is an important first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must examine and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than selecting the college 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, such as 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 2 to 3 years to complete. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these issues and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Job of Dental Hygienists

When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Robersonville NC 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 first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Teaching patients regarding oral hygiene
Taking and developing X-rays
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 also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensing examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Robersonville NC dental practices are often 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 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| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a great alternative for getting your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Robersonville NC home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Many may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. 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 needed to receive the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Robersonville NC, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Robersonville NC employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.

Is Enough Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you enroll in offers 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 are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Robersonville NC dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal means to receive 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help getting their first job. Check if the programs you are researching 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 Robersonville NC dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Robersonville NC dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses 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 examining the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Robersonville NC area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Robersonville NC in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, 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 because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Robersonville NC?

Robersonville, North Carolina

Robersonville, incorporated in 1872, is a town located in Martin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,488 at the 2010 census. Robersonville is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. It is home to the East Carolina Motor Speedway.

According to the 2000 census,[2] there were 1,731 people, 720 households, and 467 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,448.7 people per square mile (561.6/km²). There were 785 housing units at an average density of 657.0 per square mile (254.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 36.80% White, 61.53% African American, 0.46% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

Out of 720 households, 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.07.

23.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% were from 18 to 24, 23.4% were from 25 to 44, 24.1% were from 45 to 64, and 22.1% were 65 or older. The median age was 42. For every 100 females, there were 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.6 males.

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Select the Best Dental Hygienist College near Robersonville NC

Enrolling in the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend 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 alternatives available to obtain your education and it takes a relatively 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 obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the right selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Robersonville NC.