Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in West Lafayette IN 47906

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Program near West Lafayette Indiana

West Lafayette IN dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist college near West Lafayette IN is an important first step toward beginning 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 selecting the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your home. There are other important factors to consider as well, including 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 two to three years to finish. Naturally with the lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will talk about all of these issues and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Duties of Dental Hygienists

West Lafayette IN pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the West Lafayette IN practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are often the first person a patient encounters when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

Removing stains, tartar and plaque
Applying fluoride treatments
Polishing teeth and applying sealants
Educating patients regarding oral hygiene
Taking X-rays and developing film
Removing sutures and applying fillings

To qualify for licensing in almost all states, dental hygienists must have graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the increased responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in West Lafayette IN dental practices are usually 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 finish and must be accredited by the CDA in almost 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 dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in West Lafayette IN Selecting an online dental hygienist school might be a great alternative for getting your education. Just remember that the classes will not be 100% 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 West Lafayette IN home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while going to college, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The practical training can often be performed at an area 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 discipline for this method of learning, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by West Lafayette IN dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Lafayette IN, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives also. Although these may be relevant initial considerations, 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 furnished a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. West Lafayette IN employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important component of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local West Lafayette IN dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to receive 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need help getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the West Lafayette IN dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Smaller? Ask the schools you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the West Lafayette IN dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.

What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the West Lafayette IN area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and must go to classes near West Lafayette IN at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, 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 due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near West Lafayette IN?

West Lafayette, Indiana

West Lafayette /ˌwɛst ˌlɑːfiˈɛt/ is a city in Wabash Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States,[6] about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the state capital of Indianapolis and 103 miles (166 km) southeast of Chicago. West Lafayette is directly across the Wabash River from its sister city, Lafayette. As of the 2016 census estimate, its population was 45,872.[7] It is the most densely populated city in Indiana and is home to Purdue University.

Augustus Wylie laid out a town in 1836 in the Wabash River floodplain south of the present Levee. Due to regular flooding of the site, Wylie's town was never built. The present city was formed in 1888 by the merger of the adjacent suburban towns of Chauncey, Oakwood, and Kingston, located on a bluff across the Wabash River from Lafayette, Indiana.[8] The three towns had been small suburban villages which were directly adjacent to one another. Kingston was laid out in 1855 by Jesse B. Lutz. Chauncey was platted in 1860 by the Chauncey family of Philadelphia, wealthy land speculators. Chauncey and Kingston formed a municipal government in 1866 which selected the name "Chauncey".[8]

The new town of Chauncey remained a small suburban village until Purdue University opened in 1869. In 1871 Chauncey voted to be annexed by Lafayette because it was unable to provide the infrastructure (such as improved streets, waterworks, police and fire protection). Lafayette voted against annexing Chauncey because of the high cost of the many improvements that the village lacked.[9] In May 1888, the town of Chauncey voted to change its name to West Lafayette after a petition signed by 152 electors.[10] By that time, the growth of the university was fueling the growth of the little town. The address of Purdue University was given as "Lafayette, Indiana" until well into the twentieth century. West Lafayette never gained a railroad depot and lagged several years behind Lafayette in the establishment of municipal infrastructure and services. Today, West Lafayette has established itself as a separate city, with independent services and unique neighborhoods distinct from those of its sister city, Lafayette.

In November 2013, the City of West Lafayette approved an annexation that placed much of the Purdue University academic campus and residence hall system within the official boundaries of the municipality for the first time. This expansion also included a large section of the US Highway 231 corridor that was previously part of unincorporated Tippecanoe County.[11]

The location could not be found.

Pick the Best Dental Hygienist School near West Lafayette IN

Choosing the right dental hygienist course is imperative if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are several options offered to receive your education and it takes a fairly short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly two years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing 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 provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the best choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in West Lafayette IN.