How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Program near Follett Texas
Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Follett TX is an important first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to examine and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than picking the school with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other important factors to consider as well, including the school’s reputation and accreditation. 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 explore all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are analyzing 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 Job of a Dental Hygienist
When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Follett TX dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:
- Removing stains, tartar and plaque
- Administering fluoride treatments
- Polishing teeth and applying sealants
- Instructing patients about oral hygiene
- Taking X-rays and developing film
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
To qualify for licensing in nearly 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 Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
Due to the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Follett TX dental offices are generally 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 almost 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| Many programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Selecting an online dental hygienist school may be a good alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the convenience of your Follett TX home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The practical training can usually be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Follett TX, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Even though these are important initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Follett TX employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Follett TX dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Follett TX dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance landing their first job. Find out if the programs you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Follett TX dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are reviewing how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal 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, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Follett TX dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools 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 costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Follett TX area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and must attend classes near Follett TX at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still be required 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 due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
Attending Dental Hygienist School near Follett TX?
Follett, Texas
Follett is a town in Lipscomb County, Texas, United States, which was established in 1917 by Santa Fe railroad official Thomas C. Spearman as a townsite on the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway. It was named for Horace Follett, a locating engineer for the line.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 412 people, 174 households, and 112 families residing in the town. The population density was 425.1 people per square mile (164.0/km²). There were 242 housing units at an average density of 249.7/sq mi (96.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.75% White, 1.46% Native American, 6.07% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.28% of the population.
There were 174 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.
Enroll in the Right Dental Hygienist School near Follett TX
Selecting the right dental hygienist program is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of alternatives offered to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Follett TX.
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