Picking the right dental hygienist college near Maybee MI is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than selecting the college with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial factors to consider also, including 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. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Function of a Dental Hygienist

When comparing the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Maybee MI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

• Removing plaque, tartar and stains
• Applying 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 graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. After they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Maybee MI dental offices are normally required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take 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 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 sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Training Programs

Choosing an online dental hygienist school can be a viable alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Maybee MI home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education much more obtainable. Some may even charge lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can typically be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist program is the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Maybee MI, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for some online alternatives also. Although these may be important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied 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 College Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Maybee MI employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited schools.

Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an important component of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Maybee MI dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to obtain hands-on, clinical 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 Maybee MI dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs need help landing their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Maybee MI dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Check with the colleges you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the Maybee MI dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

 What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Maybee MI area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and must attend classes near Maybee MI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still be required 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 responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Maybee MI?

Choose the Right Dental Hygienist College near Maybee MI

Picking the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many options 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 community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools generally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies before they enter the job market. When obtaining 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 ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Maybee MI.

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