{"id":15161,"date":"2019-03-09T00:09:46","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T19:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oralpreventionedu.info\/dental-hygienist-schools-near-me\/alabama\/athens-al-35611"},"modified":"2019-03-09T00:09:46","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T19:09:46","slug":"athens-al-35611","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oralpreventionedu.info\/dental-hygienist-schools-near-me\/alabama\/athens-al-35611","title":{"rendered":"Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Athens AL 35611"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist School near Athens Alabama<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"AthensChoosing the right dental hygienist program near Athens AL<\/strong> is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than selecting the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other important issues to take into account as well, for instance the program’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 complete. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these factors and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are analyzing<\/a> later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Function of Dental Hygienists<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"AthensWhen comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Athens AL practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:<\/p>\n