Dental Hygienist Education Requirements in Orono ME 04469 Archives

How to Select a Dental Hygienist College near Orono Maine

Orono ME dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near Orono ME is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than picking the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account also, for instance the college’s accreditation and reputation. 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. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist

Orono ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Orono ME dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking X-rays and developing film
Removing sutures and applying fillings

In order to be licensed in nearly all states, dental hygienists must have graduated 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 can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Due to the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Orono ME dental practices are normally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Orono ME Choosing an online dental hygienist program can be a viable option for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Orono ME home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can typically be completed 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 dedication for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Orono ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Orono ME, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options also. Although these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending 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 program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Orono ME employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.

Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Orono ME dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental schools you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective method to obtain hands-on, practical 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 Orono ME dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Orono ME dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Orono ME dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Orono ME area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Orono ME in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Orono ME?

Orono, Maine

Orono (/ˈɒrənoʊ/) is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by Europeans in 1774 and named in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the Penobscot nation. It is home to the University of Maine. The town's population was 10,362 at the 2010 census.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.60 square miles (50.76 km2), of which, 18.19 square miles (47.11 km2) of it is land and 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2) is water.[1] The town is divided by the Stillwater River, a branch of the Penobscot River. It occupies part of Marsh Island, which is surrounded by the Penobscot and the Stillwater, and the remainder of the town is on the mainland. The Orono Dam impounds the Stillwater River at its confluence with the Penobscot River near downtown Orono.[3]

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Orono has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 10,363 people, 2,831 households, and 1,229 families residing in the town. The population density was 569.7 inhabitants per square mile (220.0/km2). There were 3,089 housing units at an average density of 169.8 per square mile (65.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 93.7% White, 1.2% African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

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Find the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Orono ME

Selecting the ideal dental hygienist course is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options available to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the job market. 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 best choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Orono ME.