Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Baltimore MD 21201 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore MD dental hygienist with patient Picking the right dental hygienist college near Baltimore MD is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than selecting the school with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your home. There are other significant issues to take into account also, for instance the college’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 2 to 3 years to finish. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these concerns and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s look at the roles of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Function of a Dental Hygienist

Baltimore MD pediatric dental hygienist with patient When contrasting the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Baltimore MD practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

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

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 Exam as well as any state licensing exams. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Education Options

As a result of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Baltimore MD 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 almost 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 aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in Baltimore MD Selecting an online dental hygienist college can be a viable alternative for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be available by means of your personal computer in the comfort of your Baltimore MD home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their traditional counterparts. And added expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced as well. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to get the proper education is provided. 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.

Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Baltimore MD dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Baltimore MD, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, many students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Although these may be important initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist program for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only choose 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 Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Baltimore MD 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, usually they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you enroll in offers adequate 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, confirm that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Baltimore MD dental office that specializes in dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to obtain 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 create professional relationships in the Baltimore MD dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Baltimore MD dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classes Small? Ask the schools you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate atmosphere 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, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Baltimore MD dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs 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 schools, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Baltimore MD area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and have to attend classes near Baltimore MD at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still have 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 due to illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Baltimore MD?

Baltimore

Baltimore was established by the Constitution of Maryland[8] and is an independent city that is not part of any county. With a population of 611,648 in 2017, Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States. As of 2016, the population of the Baltimore metropolitan area was estimated to be just under 2.8 million, making it the 21st largest metropolitan area in the country.[9] Baltimore is located about 40 miles (60 km) northeast of Washington, D.C., making it a principal city in the Washington-Baltimore combined statistical area (CSA), the fourth largest CSA in the nation with a calculated 2016 population of 9,665,892.[10]

Founded in 1729, Baltimore is the second-largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic.[11] The city's Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and a major manufacturing center.[12] After a decline in major manufacturing, industrialization, and rail transportation, Baltimore shifted to a service-oriented economy, with Johns Hopkins Hospital (founded 1889) and Johns Hopkins University (founded 1876), now the city's top two employers.[13]

With hundreds of identified districts, Baltimore has been dubbed a "city of neighborhoods". Famous residents have included writers Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Hamilton, Frederick Douglass, and H. L. Mencken; jazz musician James "Eubie" Blake; singer Billie Holiday; actor and filmmaker John Waters; and baseball player Babe Ruth. In the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner, which later became the American national anthem, in Baltimore.[14]

Baltimore has more public statues and monuments per capita than any other city in the country,[15] and is home to some of the earliest National Register Historic Districts in the nation, including Fell's Point, Federal Hill, and Mount Vernon, which were added to the National Register between 1969–1971. Close to a third of the city's buildings (over 65,000) are designated as historic in the National Register, which is more than any other U.S. city.[16][17]

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Select the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Baltimore MD

Selecting the right dental hygienist course is important if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options offered to receive your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can acquire your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools usually receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately two years of studies before they enter the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Baltimore MD.