Choosing the right dental hygienist school near Groton CT is an important initial 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 far more to performing your due diligence than selecting the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to consider as well, including the school’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 2 to 3 years to finish. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will cover all of these factors and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

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The Function of a Dental Hygienist

When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Groton CT dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their results to the dentists. They may also carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

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

In order to be licensed in almost 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 Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. After 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 added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Groton CT dental practices are generally 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 complete 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program might be a great alternative for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be provided by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Groton CT home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The clinical training can often be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.

Issues to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Groton CT, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for several online options as well. Although these are relevant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite 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 training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Groton CT employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like 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 Groton CT dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal way to receive 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Groton CT dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the programs you are interested in how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Groton CT dental hygienist college 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 colleges can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial 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 comparing the cost of programs, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Groton CT area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Groton CT at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Groton CT?

Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Groton CT

Choosing the right dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to receive 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, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate selection. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Groton CT.

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