Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in East Hartford CT 06108

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist Program near East Hartford Connecticut

East Hartford CT dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist school near East Hartford CT is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to doing your due diligence than choosing the training with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other important issues to consider as well, such as the school’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 two to three years to finish. Naturally with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s review the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Function of Dental Hygienists

East Hartford CT pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is probably that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and assists the East Hartford CT dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and present 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
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Teaching patients about oral care
Taking and developing X-rays
Removing sutures and applying fillings

In order to be licensed in almost all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They also must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to passing any state licensure exams. After they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

Due to the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in East Hartford CT dental practices are often required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 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 practical aspect to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in East Hartford CT Choosing an online dental hygienist college can be a great alternative for getting your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be available via your personal computer in the comfort of your East Hartford CT home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental classes make education much more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can often be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to receive the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this mode of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best option for you.

What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by East Hartford CT dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in East Hartford CT, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they search for several online options as well. Although these are important initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending 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 program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. East Hartford CT employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local East Hartford CT dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way to get hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the East Hartford CT dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools require assistance obtaining their first job. Check if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the East Hartford CT dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are reviewing how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a few classes at the East Hartford CT dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools 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 analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the East Hartford CT area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and need to attend classes near East Hartford CT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near East Hartford CT?

East Hartford, Connecticut

The town is located on the east bank of the Connecticut River, directly across from Hartford, Connecticut. The town includes the neighborhoods of Burnside and Hockanum. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48.5 km2), of which 18.0 square miles (46.6 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2), or 3.93%, is water.[1]

When the Connecticut Valley became known to Europeans around 1631, it was inhabited by what were known as the River Tribes — a number of small clans of Native Americans living along the Great River and its tributaries. Of these tribes the Podunks occupied territory now lying in the towns of East Hartford and South Windsor, and numbered, by differing estimates, from sixty to two hundred bowmen. They were governed by two sachems, Waginacut and Arramamet, and were connected in some way with the Native Americans who lived across the Great River, in what is now Windsor. The region north of the Hockanum River was generally called Podunk; that south of the river, Hockanum; but these were no certain designations, and by some all the meadow along the Great River was called Hockanum.[2]

In 1659, Thomas Burnham (1617–1688) purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians.[2] Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children.[3] The town of Hartford once included the land now occupied by the towns of East Hartford, Manchester, Bolton, Vernon, and West Hartford. In 1783, East Hartford became a separate town, which included Manchester in its city limits until 1823.[2]

As of [4] 2010, there were 51,252 people, 20,206 households, and 12,830 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,200 people per square mile (1,250/km2). There were 21,328 housing units at an average density of 1,180.2 per square mile (455.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 38.4% non-Hispanic White, 25.9% Black or African American, 0.03% Native American, 5.9% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.3% of the population.

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Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near East Hartford CT

Picking the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several 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 training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these programs generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When earning a degree you can choose 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 begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in East Hartford CT.