Selecting the right dental hygienist program near East Stroudsburg PA is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than selecting the school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your home. There are other crucial issues to consider as well, including the program’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 accomplish. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will cover all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of a Dental Hygienist

When contrasting the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the East Stroudsburg PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings 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
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Educating patients regarding 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 have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensing 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

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in East Stroudsburg PA dental offices are usually 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 nearly 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 clinical component to the training as well| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Programs

Selecting an online dental hygienist college may be a good alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the convenience of your East Stroudsburg PA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even offer lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can usually be completed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right option for you.

Points to Cover With Dental  Hygienist Colleges

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in East Stroudsburg PA, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they look for some online options as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. East Stroudsburg PA employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not offered for non-accredited schools.

Is Sufficient Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an essential portion of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind 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 school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local East Stroudsburg PA dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are considering have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to get hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance getting their first job. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the East Stroudsburg PA dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the East Stroudsburg PA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

 What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the East Stroudsburg PA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near East Stroudsburg PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near East Stroudsburg PA?

Select the Best Dental Hygienist Program near East Stroudsburg PA

Selecting the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are numerous options available to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in East Stroudsburg PA.

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