Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in White Plains NY 10601

How to Find the Right Dental Hygienist College near White Plains New York

White Plains NY dental hygienist with patient Picking the ideal dental hygienist program near White Plains NY is an important first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is far more to performing your due diligence than choosing the program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the program that is nearest to your residence. There are other crucial issues to consider also, such as the school’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 2 to 3 years to complete. Obviously with the more extensive training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will explore all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist programs you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s review the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Function of a Dental Hygienist

White Plains NY pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the role of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the biggest difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the White Plains NY dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are usually the initial person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting room. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and present their findings to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities can include:

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

In order to be licensed in nearly 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 Exam in addition to passing any state licensing examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and can add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the additional responsibility in contrast to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in White Plains NY dental offices 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 complete 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 clinical component to the training as well| Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Training Programs

attending dental hygienist school online in White Plains NY Selecting an online dental hygienist program might be a great option for getting your training. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical component to your training. But the balance of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the convenience of your White Plains NY home or anywhere else on your tablet or laptop. For those working while going to college, online dental programs make education far more accessible. Some may even charge lower tuition rates than their traditional competitors. And supplementary expenses such as for books, school supplies and commuting may be lessened as well. The practical training can typically be completed at a community dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything necessary to obtain the proper education is provided. If you have the dedication for this style of education, you might find that enrolling in an online dental hygienist college is the right choice for you.

Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by White Plains NY dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in White Plains NY, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options also. Even though these are important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify 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 training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. White Plains NY employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an essential part of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have associations with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides sufficient 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, check that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local White Plains NY dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to obtain 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 develop professional relationships in the White Plains NY dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the White Plains NY dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.

Are Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are interested in how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the White Plains NY dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.

What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the White Plains NY area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near White Plains NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near White Plains NY?

White Plains, New York

White Plains is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is the county seat and commercial hub of Westchester, an affluent suburban county just north of New York City that is home to almost one million people. White Plains is located in south-central Westchester, with its downtown (Mamaroneck Avenue) 25 miles (40 km) north of Midtown Manhattan.

As of 2013, the city's total population was estimated to be 57,866, up from 56,853 at the 2010 census.[5] According to the city government, the daytime weekday population is estimated at 250,000.[6] The city was ranked third in the top 10 places to live in New York for 2014, according to national online real estate brokerage Movoto.[7]

At the time of the Dutch settlement of Manhattan in the early 17th century, the region had been used as farmland by the Weckquaeskeck tribe, members of the Mohican nation and was called "Quarropas".[8] To early traders it was known as "the White Plains", either from the groves of white balsam which are said to have covered it,[9] or from the heavy mist that local tradition suggests hovered over the swamplands near the Bronx River.[10] The first non-native settlement came in November 1683, when a party of Connecticut Puritans moved westward from an earlier settlement in Rye and bought about 4,400 acres (18 km2), presumably from the Weckquaeskeck.[8] However, John Richbell of Mamaroneck claimed to have earlier title to much of the territory through his purchase of a far larger plot extending 20 miles (32 km) inland, perhaps from a different tribe.[10] The matter wasn't settled until 1721, when a Royal Patent for White Plains was granted by King George II.[10]

In 1758, White Plains became the seat of Westchester County when the colonial government for the county left West Chester, which was located in what is now the northern part of the borough of the Bronx, in New York City. The unincorporated village remained part of the Town of Rye until 1788, when the town of White Plains was created.[10]

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Choose the Right Dental Hygienist School near White Plains NY

Choosing the right dental hygienist course is important if you want to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are a number of alternatives offered to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental hygienist. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these programs usually earn an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists usually require roughly two years of studies prior to entering the job market. When obtaining a degree you can choose to go to classes on-campus or online. 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 as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in White Plains NY.