Choosing the right dental hygienist college near Phoenixville PA is an essential initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must assess and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your residence. There are other significant issues to take into account as well, including the college’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 finish. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of Dental Hygienists

When contrasting the job 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 assists the Phoenixville PA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

• Removing tartar, stains and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Educating patients regarding 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 Examination as well as any state licensure exams. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Phoenixville PA dental practices are usually required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually 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 aspect to the training as well| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist school might be a good alternative for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Phoenixville PA home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition costs than their traditional competitors. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened as well. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you may find that attending an online dental hygienist school is the ideal choice for you.

Issues to Ask Dental  Hygienist Colleges

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Phoenixville PA, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives also. Although these are significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually 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 guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Phoenixville PA employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.

Is Enough Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a necessary portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you select provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Phoenixville PA dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Phoenixville PA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Phoenixville PA dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the schools you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Phoenixville PA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.

 What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and whether they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs 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 comparing the cost of schools, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Phoenixville PA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Phoenixville PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, 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 need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Phoenixville PA?

Pick the Best Dental Hygienist College near Phoenixville PA

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several alternatives available to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs usually obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Phoenixville PA.

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