Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Boothbay Harbor ME 04538

How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist Program near Boothbay Harbor Maine

Boothbay Harbor ME dental hygienist with patient Choosing the ideal dental hygienist program near Boothbay Harbor ME is an important first step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you must examine and compare your school options. There is far more to completing your due diligence than choosing the school with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is closest to your residence. There are other important factors to take into account as well, such as the program’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 two to three years to complete. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will talk about all of these issues 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 look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Job of Dental Hygienists

Boothbay Harbor ME pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the duties of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Boothbay Harbor ME dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are frequently 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 perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties can include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Administering fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Teaching patients about oral hygiene
Taking X-rays and developing film
Applying fillings and removing sutures

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 in addition to passing any state licensure examinations. Once 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 Training Options

As a result of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Boothbay Harbor ME dental practices are usually 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 nearly every state. They are offered in trade and vocational 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| Some programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in Boothbay Harbor ME Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program can be a viable alternative for obtaining your education. Just keep in mind that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your Boothbay Harbor ME home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental classes make education a lot more accessible. Some may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The clinical training can often be performed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to receive the appropriate education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you might find that attending an online dental hygienist college is the best option for you.

Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Boothbay Harbor ME dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Boothbay Harbor ME, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Although these are relevant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Boothbay Harbor ME employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.

Is Adequate Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an essential part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist programs have associations with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you choose provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For 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 Boothbay Harbor ME dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs need assistance getting their first job. Ask if the programs you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Boothbay Harbor ME dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Find out from the programs you are looking at how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Boothbay Harbor ME dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Boothbay Harbor ME area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Boothbay Harbor ME at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Boothbay Harbor ME?

Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Boothbay Harbor is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,165 at the 2010 census. During summer months, the entire Boothbay Harbor region is a popular yachting and tourist destination. ZIP Code is 04538. The community is served by the 633 exchange in Area Code 207.

The area was part of Cape Newagen, where the English established an early seasonal fishing camp. In 1666, Henry Curtis purchased the land from the sachem Mowhotiwormet, commonly known as Chief Robinhood, who lived at what is today Woolwich. But the settlement was attacked and burned during King Philip's War, resettled shortly afterwards, then destroyed again in 1689 during King William's War. It was abandoned for 40 years.[1]

In 1730, Colonel David Dunbar, the superintendent and governor of the Territory of Sagadahock, laid out a new town, named Townsend after Viscount Townshend. Despite predations during the French and Indian Wars, and robberies during the Revolutionary War by marauding British sailors, the settlement was successful, not least because of its large, deep and protected harbor. During the Penobscot Expedition, in 1779 Townsend became a rendezvous point for the American naval fleet prior to its disastrous encounter with the British at Castine.[2]

Renamed Boothbay in 1842, the harbor continued to develop as a fishing center. In bad weather, it could hold at a time between 400 and 500 vessels, often Friendship Sloops, seeking shelter. By 1881, it had a fishery and fish oil company, an ice company, two marine railways, a fertilizer manufacturer, and a factory for canning lobsters. On February 16, 1889, the community was set off from Boothbay and incorporated as the town of Boothbay Harbor.[3] Frank L. Sample shipyard at Boothbay Harbor built minesweepers for the United States Navy during World War II and into the 1950s.[4] Some location filming for the 1956 movie version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, notably the "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" sequence, was done there. Each summer, Boothbay Harbor draws crowds of tourists. Attractions include the state aquarium, art galleries, restaurants, boat tours to coastal islands and whale watching.

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Choose the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Boothbay Harbor ME

Selecting the right dental hygienist program is imperative 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 numerous alternatives available to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these programs generally earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require roughly two years of studies before they enter the work force. When pursuing a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be in a better position to make the right choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Boothbay Harbor ME.