Choosing the right dental hygienist college near Bridgeview IL is an essential 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 doing your due diligence than selecting the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account also, including 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. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of Dental Hygienists

When contrasting the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Bridgeview IL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

• Removing plaque, tartar and stains
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
• Taking X-rays and developing film
• 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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. After they have completed 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

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Bridgeview IL dental practices are generally 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 clinical aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs

Selecting an online dental hygienist college might be a viable alternative for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally 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 convenience of your Bridgeview IL home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.

Points to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bridgeview IL, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Bridgeview IL employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited schools.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Bridgeview IL dental office that specializes in dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way 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 develop professional relationships in the Bridgeview IL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help landing their first job. Check if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Bridgeview IL dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the colleges you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Bridgeview IL dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

 What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public 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 textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bridgeview IL area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near Bridgeview IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Bridgeview IL?

Choose the Right Dental Hygienist College near Bridgeview IL

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options available to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining 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 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 start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bridgeview IL.

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