Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Bellefonte PA 16823

Brian — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:03:58 +0000

How to Pick a Dental Hygienist College near Bellefonte Pennsylvania

Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Bellefonte PA is an essential first step toward starting 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 performing your due diligence than picking the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other crucial 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 finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Job of a Dental Hygienist

When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Bellefonte PA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

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

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 Examination as well as any state licensure exams. Once they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Bellefonte PA dental practices are normally required to hold 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 nearly 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 practical aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Schools

Choosing an online dental hygienist school may be a good option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available via your personal computer in the comfort of your Bellefonte PA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. 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 needed to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.

Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bellefonte PA, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online alternatives also. Although these may be important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished 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 good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Bellefonte PA employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the college you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type 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 college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Bellefonte PA dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to get 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 Bellefonte PA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance landing their first job. Ask if the schools 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 Bellefonte PA dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Smaller? Check with the programs you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Bellefonte PA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bellefonte PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and need to attend classes near Bellefonte PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Bellefonte PA?

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Bellefonte is a borough and the county seat of Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It lies about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The borough population was 6,187 at the 2010 Census.[4] It houses the courthouse located downtown on the square. Bellefonte has also been home to five of Pennsylvania's governors as well as two other governors.[5] All seven are commemorated in a monument overlooking Talleyrand Park.

The town features many examples of Victorian architecture as well as a natural spring, from which the town gets its name ("la belle fonte") bestowed by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord during a land-speculation visit to central Pennsylvania in the 1790s. However, the spring, which serves as the town's water supply, has been covered to comply with DEP water purity laws. The early development of Bellefonte had been as a "natural town." It started with one house and a crossroad, then iron was found and the town grew.[6]

William Lamb sold his mill to John Dunlop and the next year James Dunlop, John's father, and his son-in-law James Harris laid out block by block the town that became known as Bellefonte. As the years went by, Bellefonte boomed and soon became the most influential town between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.[7] Bellefonte was a frequent stop in the transcontinental airmail route. The route ran from New York to San Francisco and opened August 20, 1920.

The Bellefonte Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Other buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are: Bellefonte Armory, Brockerhoff Hotel, Centre County Courthouse, Gamble Mill, McAllister-Beaver House, Miles-Humes House, Pennsylvania Match Company, South Ward School, and the William Thomas House. The Bellefonte Academy was listed until 2008, after having been destroyed by fire in 2004.[8]

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Choose the Right Dental Hygienist College near Bellefonte PA

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives available to acquire your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately two years of studies before they enter the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. 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 as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bellefonte PA.