Choosing the right dental hygienist college near Portland ME is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to doing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other important factors to consider also, such as the college’s reputation and accreditation. Dental hygienists usually earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to complete. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these considerations and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find Dental Hygienist Schools Near You!” aos=”75346615″ concentration=”2D77CE61″ tracking=”DENTHYG”]

The Role of Dental Hygienists

When contrasting 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 assists the Portland ME dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are typically the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Polishing teeth and applying sealants
• Instructing patients about oral hygiene
• Taking and developing X-rays
• Applying fillings and removing sutures

To qualify for licensing in nearly all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensure examinations. When 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 Education Options

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Portland ME 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 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 component to the training as well| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Programs

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a good option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your desktop computer in the comfort of your Portland ME home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition costs 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 an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this mode of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the best option for you.

What to Cover With Dental  Hygienist Schools

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Portland ME, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. 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 colleges. Maybe they search for some online alternatives also. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Portland ME employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential component of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Portland ME dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to receive 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 build professional relationships in the Portland ME dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Portland ME dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Small? Check with the colleges you are reviewing how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Portland ME dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.

 What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But besides 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Portland ME area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and must attend classes near Portland ME in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Portland ME?

Choose the Best Dental Hygienist Program near Portland ME

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is crucial if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of alternatives offered to receive your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Portland ME.

More Great Cities in Maine

Business Results 1 - 10 of 29

Peak Dental Health

13 Reviews

General Dentistry

Phone:

74 Gray Rd, Ste 3, Falmouth, ME 04105

Inspire Dental of Maine

8 Reviews

Cosmetic Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, Endodontists

Phone:

1355 Congress St, Ste B, Portland, ME 04102

A perfect Smile

8 Reviews

Dentists

Phone:

168 US Route One, Falmouth, ME 04105

Dunstan Dental Center

5 Reviews

General Dentistry

Phone:

618 US Rt 1, Scarborough, ME 04074

Restorative & Aesthetic Dental Associates PA

2 Reviews

General Dentistry

Phone:

650 Brighton Ave, Ste 1, Portland, ME 04102

Progressive Dental Care

3 Reviews

General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists

Phone:

160 Western Ave, Ste 2, South Portland, ME 04106

Chebuske & Atienza

4 Reviews

General Dentistry, Endodontists, Cosmetic Dentists

Phone:

110 Auburn St, Portland, ME 04103

Gannett Drive Dental

2 Reviews

General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Endodontists

Phone:

324 Gannett Dr, Ste 500, South Portland, ME 04106

Sweet Dental

3 Reviews

General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentists, Periodontists

Phone:

306 US Rt 1, Bldg B N, Scarborough, ME 04074

Pleasant Street Dental

9 Reviews

General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists

Phone:

53 Pleasant St, Brunswick, ME 04011

 

The post Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Portland ME 04101 appeared first on Train to Become a Dental Hygienist.