Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Bethpage NY 11714

How to Select a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Bethpage New York

Bethpage NY dental hygienist with patientChoosing the right dental hygienist school near Bethpage NY is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you must analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to completing your due diligence than picking the program with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other crucial factors to take into account also, for instance the school’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 two to three years to accomplish. Obviously with the prolonged training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will explore all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist colleges you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs provided.

The Role of Dental Hygienists

Bethpage NY pediatric dental hygienist with patientWhen comparing the job of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Bethpage NY practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient sees when called from the waiting area. They examine each patient’s teeth and gums and report their findings to the dentists. They also may perform basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

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

In order to be licensed in almost 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 licensing examinations. After they have fulfilled these requirements they are considered fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

As a result of the added responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Bethpage NY dental offices are generally 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 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 component to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dental practices or dentists.

Online Dental Hygienist Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in Bethpage NYEnrolling in an online dental hygienist program may be a viable option for receiving your training. Just remember that the program will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the rest of your classes will be accessible via your personal computer in the comfort of your Bethpage NY home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to school, online dental classes make education far more accessible. Many may even offer lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced as well. The clinical training can usually be completed 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 discipline for this mode of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online program is the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Dental  Hygienist Programs

teeth cleaned by Bethpage NY dental hygienistNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bethpage NY, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, many potential students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online alternatives as well. Although these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Bethpage NY employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited colleges.

Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the school you choose offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Bethpage NY dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are looking at have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to receive 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 establish professional relationships in the Bethpage NY dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help getting their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Bethpage NY dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are interested in how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Bethpage NY dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

 What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Bethpage NY area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and have to attend classes near Bethpage NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Bethpage NY?

Bethpage, New York

Bethpage is a hamlet located on Long Island within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York, United States, as well as a census-designated place (CDP) with borders slightly different from those of the hamlet. The CDP's population was 16,429 at the 2010 United States Census.[1]

The area is served by the Bethpage Post Office, ZIP code 11714, whose boundaries are slightly different from that of the CDP. The area is also served by Bethpage Union Free School District, Island Trees Union Free School District, Plainedge Union Free School District, and Hicksville Union Free School District, the boundaries of which include parts of some surrounding hamlets, including parts of Old Bethpage, Plainview, and Plainedge. The Town of Hempstead, on its website, includes a small part of Bethpage hamlet that is in the Levittown census-designated place.[2]

The name Bethpage comes from the Quaker Thomas Powell, who named the area after the Biblical town Bethphage, which was between Jericho and Jerusalem in the Holy Land. Present-day Bethpage was part of the 1695 Bethpage Purchase. An early name for the northern section of present-day Bethpage was Bedelltown,[3][4] a name that appeared on maps at least as late as 1906.[5]

On maps just before the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the name Bethpage appears for a community now included in both the post office district and school district of the adjacent community of Farmingdale.[6] In 1841,[7] train service began to Farmingdale station, near a new settlement less than a mile eastward from what had previously appeared on maps as Bethpage. Schedules at that time do not mention Bethpage as a stop, but have a notation "late Bethpage".[8] On an 1855 map,[9] the location identified as Bethpage has shifted slightly westward to include a nearby area now called Plainedge.

The location could not be found.

Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist Program near Bethpage NY

Selecting the right dental hygienist program is imperative if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are several options offered to acquire your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools normally receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When pursuing a degree you can elect to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by asking the questions provided in this article you will be in a better position to make the appropriate choice. And as a result, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bethpage NY.

More Great Cities in New York

  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Peekskill NY 10566
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Spencerport NY 14559
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Fishkill NY 12524
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Afton NY 13730
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Philmont NY 12565
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Newtonville NY 12128
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Gabriels NY 12939
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Hudson NY 12534
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Copiague NY 11726
  • Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Hemlock NY 14466
  •  

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 381

    Shore Smiles Dental
    11 Reviews
    General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Oral Surgeons
    Phone:
    875 N Broadway St, Massapequa, NY 11758

    Michael D Germaine, DMD
    15 Reviews
    General Dentistry
    Phone:
    2962 Merrick Rd, Bellmore, NY 11710

    4Excellence In Dentistry
    14 Reviews
    Cosmetic Dentists, General Dentistry
    Phone:
    3000 Hempstead Tpke, Ste 101, Levittown, NY 11756

    PM Dental Care
    11 Reviews
    Pediatric Dentists, Cosmetic Dentists, General Dentistry
    Phone:
    121 Jerico Tpke, Mineola, NY 11501

    Advanced DDS
    49 Reviews
    Oral Surgeons, General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists
    Phone:
    200 Garden City Plz, Ste 101, Garden City, NY 11530

    Corbin Dental
    6 Reviews
    General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists
    Phone:
    216 South St, Oyster Bay, NY 11771

    South Shore Dental Care
    26 Reviews
    General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentists, Cosmetic Dentists
    Phone:
    4600 Sunrise Hwy, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

    Stamford Dental Spa
    64 Reviews
    General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentists, Endodontists
    Phone:
    124 Broad St, Stamford, CT 06901

    Grace Dental Smiles
    26 Reviews
    Cosmetic Dentists, General Dentistry, Periodontists
    Phone:
    102 New York 109, West Babylon, NY 11704

    Jeffrey Zaffos, DDS
    29 Reviews
    Oral Surgeons, General Dentistry
    Phone:
    214 Fulton St, Westbury, NY 11590