Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Portland TN 37148 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Select a Dental Hygienist College near Portland Tennessee

Portland TN dental hygienist with patient Choosing the right dental hygienist program near Portland TN is an essential initial step toward launching your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than picking the training with the least expensive tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant issues to consider also, including 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 2 to 3 years to complete. Naturally with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these concerns and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental hygienist schools you are assessing later in this article. But first, let’s explore the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Job of a Dental Hygienist

Portland TN pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the main difference is undoubtedly that the hygienist works more on their own. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Portland TN practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also assisting 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 each patient’s gums and teeth and present their results to the dentists. They may also perform basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

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

In order to be licensed in nearly all states, dental hygienists must graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited dental hygiene program. They must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensing examinations. When they have completed these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, standing for Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists employed in Portland TN dental practices are often required to have an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take 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 community colleges as well as trade and technical schools. 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 sponsor internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Dental Hygienist Online Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Portland TN Selecting an online dental hygienist college can be a great option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a clinical portion to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be provided via your personal computer in the convenience of your Portland TN home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while attending school, online dental classes make education far more obtainable. Many may even offer lower tuition costs than their on-campus counterparts. And added expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The practical training can typically be performed at an area dental office or in an on-campus lab. With both the clinical and online training, everything needed to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the dedication for this method of education, you may find that attending an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools

teeth cleaned by Portland TN dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Portland TN, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online alternatives also. Although these are important initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Portland TN employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited programs.

Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Portland TN dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.

Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably 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 form professional relationships in the Portland TN dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help obtaining their first job. Ask if the programs you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Portland TN dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Portland TN dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between instructors and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial 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, don’t forget to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Portland TN area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Portland TN in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Portland TN?

Portland, Tennessee

Portland is a city in Sumner and Robertson counties in Tennessee. The population was 11,486 in 2010 according estimates by the U.S. census bureau and in 2013 the population was 11,933. Portland is a part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Portland is located on the Highland Rim in extreme northern Middle Tennessee. This region has always been known for excellent agricultural soils, a spectacular wildlife environment and an enjoyable climate.

People were originally attracted from the tobacco belt in Virginia and the Carolina to the Highland Rim for land speculation and dark tobacco. The Highland Rim offered ideal climate and soil conditions for growing dark tobacco. This lucrative crop increased the value of the land which benefited land speculators in the area. Eventually these speculators moved on to attempt profits elsewhere. The farmers however, remained.

The oldest local settlement in Portland is Fountain Head which is located a couple of miles south of Portland. This settlement was founded 1792 by the James Gwin family. Within a century, it grew to include a mill, tobacco factory, post office, Louisville & Nashville railroad depot and a number of local retail stores.

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Pick the Right Dental Hygienist School near Portland TN

Enrolling in the right dental hygienist program is essential if you intend to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are numerous alternatives available 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 community colleges, trade schools, vocational schools and technical institutes. Graduates of these schools generally obtain an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require approximately 2 years of studies before they enter the job market. When pursuing a degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you decide to pursue, by addressing the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the appropriate selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Portland TN.