How to Enroll In a Dental Hygienist College near Stanton Michigan

Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Stanton MI is an important initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must assess and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the school that is nearest to your residence. There are other important factors to consider as well, such as the college’s reputation and accreditation. 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 accomplish. Naturally with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these factors and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Job of a Dental Hygienist

When comparing the role of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Stanton MI practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

• Removing stains, tartar and plaque
• Applying fluoride treatments
• Applying sealants and polishing teeth
• Educating patients about oral hygiene
• Taking and developing X-rays
• 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 Examination in addition to passing any state licensure examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are considered fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the increased responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Stanton MI dental practices are usually required to hold 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 virtually 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 practical aspect to the training as well| A number of programs also sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Classes

Enrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a good option for getting your training. Just remember that the program will not be 100% online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the rest of your classes will be available via your desktop computer in the convenience of your Stanton MI home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education much more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And additional expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened also. The practical training can usually be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to obtain the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this style of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist school is the right choice for you.

What to Ask Dental  Hygienist Colleges

Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Stanton MI, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they search for some online options as well. Even though these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in nearly 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 guarantee that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Stanton MI employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the school you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Stanton MI dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal method to get 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 establish professional relationships in the Stanton MI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Stanton MI dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the schools you are evaluating how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate environment for training where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Stanton MI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

 What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges 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 analyzing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Stanton MI area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near Stanton MI at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Stanton MI?

Pick the Right Dental Hygienist Program near Stanton MI

Picking the right dental hygienist program is essential 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 education and it takes a fairly short period 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 normally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When pursuing a degree you can choose to go to 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 right selection. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Stanton MI.

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Kenneth Egger, DDS

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General Dentistry, Periodontists, Cosmetic Dentists

Phone:

900 E Bellows St, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858