Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Russellville AL is an important first step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other significant factors to consider as well, such as the college’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists typically 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 prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

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The Role of a Dental Hygienist

When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Russellville AL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Educating patients about oral care
• Taking and developing X-rays
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensing exams. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Russellville AL 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 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 component to the training as well| Many programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

Choosing an online dental hygienist program might be a great option for getting your education. 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 provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Russellville AL home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can often be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this mode of education, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Russellville AL, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they look for some online options as well. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Russellville AL employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Russellville AL dental office that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal means to receive hands-on, practical 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 build professional relationships in the Russellville AL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Russellville AL dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Russellville AL dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.

 What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But besides 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 colleges, don’t forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Russellville AL area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to go to classes near Russellville AL at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Russellville AL?

Pick the Best Dental Hygienist College near Russellville AL

Choosing the right dental hygienist program is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of options available to receive your training and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Russellville AL.

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Michael D McLeary, DDS

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General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Pediatric Dentists

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410 S Pine St, Florence, AL 35630

 

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