Picking the right dental hygienist school near Island Park NY is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than choosing the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant factors to consider also, for instance the school’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 2 to 3 years to complete. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these concerns and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role 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 assists the Island Park NY dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work 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 each patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

• Removing tartar, stains and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Educating patients regarding oral care
• Taking and developing X-rays
• 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 exams. After 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

Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Island Park NY dental practices are generally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three 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 sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Colleges

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school can be a good alternative for receiving your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your personal computer in the comfort of your Island Park NY home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education a lot more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can often be completed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of learning, you might find that attending an dental hygienist online school is the best option for you.

Points to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Island Park NY, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Possibly they look for several online options as well. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several important 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 almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Island Park NY 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 obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the college you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Island Park NY dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help landing their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Island Park NY dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Smaller? Check with the programs you are looking at how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Island Park NY dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.

 What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs 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 schools, don’t forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Island Park NY area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Island Park NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Island Park NY?

Pick the Ideal Dental Hygienist College near Island Park NY

Selecting the ideal dental hygienist course is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options available to obtain your education and it takes a relatively 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 schools usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require approximately two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Island Park NY.

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