How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist Program near Lanai City Hawaii
Picking the right dental hygienist program near Lanai City HI is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you need to assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the college with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other important factors to take into account as well, including the program’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 two to three years to finish. Naturally with the longer 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 analyzing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.
The Duties of Dental Hygienists
When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Lanai City HI dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are typically the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting room. They examine each patient’s gums and teeth and present their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:
- Removing tartar, stains and plaque
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Applying sealants and polishing teeth
- Educating patients regarding oral care
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Removing sutures and applying fillings
In order to be licensed in nearly 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. Once they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.
Dental Hygienist Education Options
As a result of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Lanai City HI dental offices are normally required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can require anywhere from 2 to as long as 3 years to finish 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 clinical component to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.
Online Dental Hygienist Schools
Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a great option for receiving your education. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Lanai City HI home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental programs make education a lot more accessible. Some may even offer lower tuition fees than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The practical training can typically be performed at a community dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything necessary to get the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lanai City HI, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online options as well. Even though these are significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lanai City HI employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important component of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the school you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Lanai City HI dental practice that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Lanai City HI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools require help obtaining their first job. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lanai City HI dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Check with the programs you are interested in how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Lanai City HI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides 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 materials, equipment and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Lanai City HI area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Lanai City HI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still need 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 Lanai City HI?
Lanai City, Hawaii
Lanai City is a census-designated place (CDP) on the island of Lanai, in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 3,102 at the 2010 census.[1] Lanai City is the island's commercial center. Many of the island's restaurants and shops are in the town square that surrounds Dole Park, and the only hospital on the island, Lanai Community Hospital, is located near the park.[2]
Lanai City experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen classification As) with a mostly dry summer season. The average temperature in January is almost cold enough to qualify this climate as a warm form of a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa). An average monthly temperature of 64 °F (18 °C) is the lower limit for tropical climate classification.
Lanai was once the home of the pineapple plantation of entrepreneur James Drummond Dole, which spanned over 20,000 acres (81 km2) and employed thousands of workers. Dole owned the entire island for a time, and in the 1920s built Lanai City to house and serve the community of workers.[7] It was the first model city in Hawaii. In 1923 several stores, a bank, a hospital, a theater, a church and business headquarters were built around an open park space. In 1930 model homes for couples featuring two bedrooms, a large living room, a kitchen, with running water, electricity and spacious yards were erected. The single men's houses had three furnished rooms and also running water and electricity.[8]
In 2009, the corporation Castle & Cooke, which owns the Dole Food Company, announced its intent to demolish much of what remained of the historic district, including homes, a laundromat, and a jailhouse—all dating back to the 1920s—in order to build new commercial structures. The development would have included a supermarket described by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as "oversized" and "out-of-scale".[7] The intact plantation town is something not found on any of the other Hawaiian Islands.[9]
Find the Best Dental Hygienist Program near Lanai City HI
Choosing the ideal dental hygienist program is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options offered to acquire your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools typically obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require roughly 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When earning a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Lanai City HI.
More Great Cities in Hawaii
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
4 Reviews 
10 Reviews 