Dental Hygienist Education Requirements in Catasauqua PA 18032 Archives

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist College near Catasauqua Pennsylvania

Catasauqua PA dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Catasauqua PA is an essential initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to examine and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the college with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. There are other crucial factors to consider also, such as the college’s reputation and accreditation. Dental hygienists usually 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 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 schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Role of a Dental Hygienist

Catasauqua PA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Catasauqua PA dentists and the practice. 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 interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Instructing 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 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 licensing exams. When they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Catasauqua PA dental practices are usually required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require 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 aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Catasauqua PA Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a good alternative for getting your training. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your Catasauqua PA 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. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the right choice for you.

What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Catasauqua PA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Catasauqua PA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Although these are significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in almost 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 establish that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Catasauqua PA employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have associations with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Catasauqua PA dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the Catasauqua PA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require help getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Catasauqua PA dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classrooms Small? Check with the programs you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Catasauqua PA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the length 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 have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant 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 comparing the cost of programs, don’t forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Catasauqua PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Catasauqua PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, 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 because of illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Catasauqua PA?

Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Catasauqua is a borough in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, settled in 1805 and chartered as a borough in 1853. Catasauqua is a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. Catasauqua is included in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the New York City-Newark, New Jersey, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area.

Historically, manufacturing was Catasauqua's principal industry, and, in 1839, it was the location of the first manufactured anthracite iron in the nation. Catasauqua's population in 1910 was 5,250. The population was 6,588 at the 2000 census. The word Catasauqua is shortened to "Catty" in local dialect when speaking of the place.

Catasauqua is located at 40°39′11″N 75°28′3″W / 40.65306°N 75.46750°W / 40.65306; -75.46750 (40.652995, -75.467627).[3] Nearby large communities include Allentown three miles (5 km) to the south and Bethlehem seven miles (11 km) to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which, 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2 or 2.31%) of it is water. The Catasauqua Creek flows through the town. The Lehigh River runs along the southwest edge of Catasauqua.

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Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist College near Catasauqua PA

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many alternatives offered to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can choose to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Catasauqua PA.