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How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Marietta Georgia

Marietta GA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist school near Marietta GA is an essential first step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the training with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your home. There are other significant issues to take into account also, including the program’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists usually 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 more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these factors and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

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The Role of a Dental Hygienist

Marietta GA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Marietta GA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients about oral care
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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam as well as any state licensing exams. Once they have completed these requirements they are considered 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 Marietta GA dental offices are usually 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 complete and must be accredited by the CDA in virtually every state. They are offered in community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. 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 offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in Marietta GA Enrolling in an online dental hygienist college might be a viable alternative for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Marietta GA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. 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 needed to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you may find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the best choice for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Marietta GA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Marietta GA, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online options also. Even though these may be important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Marietta GA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.

Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Marietta GA dental office that specializes in dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Marietta GA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance landing their first job. Check if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Marietta GA dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the programs you are looking at how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Marietta GA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial 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 comparing the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Marietta GA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to go to classes near Marietta GA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Marietta GA?

Marietta, Georgia

As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579. The 2013 estimate is 59,089, making it one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. Marietta is the fourth largest of the principal cities (by population) of the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area.[5][6]

The origin of the name is uncertain. It is believed that the city was named for Mary Cobb, the wife of U.S. Senator and Superior Court judge Thomas Willis Cobb. Judge Cobb is the namesake of the county.[7]

Homes were built by early settlers near the Cherokee town of Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) prior to 1824.[8] The first plat was laid out in 1833. Like most towns, Marietta had a square (see Marietta Square) in the center with a courthouse. The Georgia General Assembly legally recognized the community on December 19, 1834.[8]

Built in 1838, Oakton House[9] is the oldest continuously occupied residence in Marietta. The original barn, milk house, smokehouse, and wellhouse remain on the property. The spectacular gardens contain the boxwood parterre from the 1870s. Oakton served as Major General Loring's headquarters during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in 1864.[10]

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Choose the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Marietta GA

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options offered 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 junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists normally require about 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can elect to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the best selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Marietta GA.