Dental Hygienist Programs Near Me in Auburn MI 48611 Archives

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist College near Auburn Michigan

Auburn MI dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near Auburn MI is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than selecting the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other important factors to consider also, for instance the college’s reputation and accreditation. 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 complete. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

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The Function of a Dental Hygienist

Auburn MI pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Auburn MI dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing tartar, stains and plaque
Applying fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Educating patients about oral hygiene
Taking X-rays and developing film
Applying fillings and removing sutures

In order to be licensed in almost 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 in addition to passing any state licensure exams. Once they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Auburn MI dental offices are often required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete 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 dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Auburn MI Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a viable option for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Auburn MI home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything required to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist program is the best option for you.

Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Auburn MI dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Auburn MI, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, many potential students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Auburn MI employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the college you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Auburn MI dental office that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal way to obtain 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 create professional relationships in the Auburn MI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting their first job. Check if the programs you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Auburn MI dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are interested in how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Auburn MI dental hygienist school 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 differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Auburn MI area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to go to classes near Auburn MI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Auburn MI?

Auburn, Michigan

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,087 people, 916 households, and 551 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,987.6 inhabitants per square mile (767.4/km2). There were 960 housing units at an average density of 914.3 per square mile (353.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 916 households of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,011 people, 842 households, and 553 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,971.6 per square mile (761.2/km²). There were 867 housing units at an average density of 850.0 per square mile (328.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.51% White, 0.35% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.39% of the population.

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Choose the Right Dental Hygienist College near Auburn MI

Choosing the right dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several alternatives available to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented 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 Auburn MI.