{"id":3731,"date":"2018-04-05T19:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T19:00:33","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2018-04-05T19:00:33","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T19:00:33","slug":"altoona-ia-50009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oralpreventionedu.info\/dental-hygienist-schools-near-me\/iowa\/altoona-ia-50009","title":{"rendered":"Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Altoona IA 50009"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist School near Altoona Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"AltoonaPicking the right dental hygienist program near Altoona IA<\/strong> is an important initial step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than selecting the school with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is closest to your home. There are other significant issues to consider also, such as the school’s accreditation and reputation. 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 accomplish. Obviously with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating<\/a> later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs offered<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Duties of a Dental Hygienist<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"AltoonaWhen contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Altoona IA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:<\/p>\n