Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Opelika AL 36801 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Opelika Alabama

Opelika AL dental hygienist with patient Selecting the right dental hygienist college near Opelika AL is an essential first 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 home. There are other important factors to consider also, such as the school’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 accomplish. Obviously with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Function of a Dental Hygienist

Opelika AL pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the Opelika AL dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently the first 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 perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Educating patients regarding oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
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 examinations. After 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 Opelika AL dental offices are often 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 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 aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Colleges

attending dental hygienist school online in Opelika AL Selecting an online dental hygienist program can be a great option for obtaining your training. Just remember that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the comfort of your Opelika AL home or anywhere else on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Many may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this mode of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online school is the right choice for you.

Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Opelika AL dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Opelika AL, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online options as well. Even though these may be significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are comparing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Opelika AL employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist schools have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Opelika AL dental office that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form professional relationships in the Opelika AL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require assistance landing their first job. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Opelika AL dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Smaller? Ask the colleges you are reviewing how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Opelika AL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Opelika AL area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, 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 have to attend classes near Opelika AL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Opelika AL?

Opelika, Alabama

Opelika (pronounced /ˌoʊpəˈlaɪkə/ OH-pə-LY-kə) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east central part of the State of Alabama.[4] It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. According to the 2013 Census Estimate, the population of Opelika was 28,635.[2] The Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA with a population of 150,933 which, along with the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area and Macon County, Alabama, comprises the greater Greater Columbus, Georgia, a region home to 501,649 residents.

The first white settlers in the area now known as Opelika arrived in the late 1830s and established a community called Lebanon. After the removal of the native Creek (Muscogee) peoples by federal troops in 1836-37, the area became known as "Opelika." This word taken from the Muskogee language means "large swamp".

In 1848, the Montgomery and West Point Railroad Company extended a rail line from Montgomery, Alabama, to Opelika, and in 1851, completed a connection to West Point, Georgia, thus connecting Opelika with Atlanta, Georgia. This line was the only direct rail route between New Orleans and the Eastern Seaboard. It rapidly became one of the primary trade lines for shipments of raw cotton from Southern plantations to the North. The Montgomery and West Point was soon joined by a rail connection to Columbus, Georgia, in 1855, and a connection to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1869. Almost overnight, Opelika became a regional hub for commerce.

To manage this rapid growth, Opelika was incorporated as a town on February 9, 1854, then within Russell County. As a result of Opelika's transportation infrastructure, many warehouses for storing cotton and other goods were built. With the onset of the Civil War, these warehouses were converted to Confederate supply depots. In 1864 and 1865, Union raids commanded by Lovell Rousseau and James H. Wilson attacked Opelika, tearing up the railroads and destroying all government property, including Opelika's warehouses.

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Select the Right Dental Hygienist College near Opelika AL

Picking the right dental hygienist program is important if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options available to receive your education and it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly 2 years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the right choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Opelika AL.