Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Bent Mountain VA 24059

How to Choose a Dental Hygienist Training Program near Bent Mountain Virginia

Bent Mountain VA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist program near Bent Mountain VA is an important initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But prior to making your selection, you need to analyze and compare your school options. There is much more to performing your due diligence than choosing the training with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the program that is closest to your home. There are other significant factors to take into account also, including the college’s accreditation and reputation. Dental hygienists generally earn an Associate Degree, as compared to a certificate usually earned by assistants, and can take anywhere from two to three years to complete. Obviously with the longer training of a hygienist comes more cost. We will discuss all of these concerns and additional questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist programs you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs offered.

The Role of Dental Hygienists

Bent Mountain VA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the duties of a dental assistant to that of a hygienist, the main difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and assists the Bent Mountain VA dentists and the practice. Hygienists, while also assisting the practice, work with the patients more on an individual basis. They are often the initial person a patient encounters when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s teeth and gums and report their results to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Based on state law, a hygienist’s duties may include:

Removing plaque, tartar and stains
Applying fluoride treatments
Applying sealants and polishing teeth
Instructing patients regarding 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 must also pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as any state licensure exams. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are regarded as fully licensed and may add the “RDH” designation to their names, signifying Registered Dental Hygienist.

Dental Hygienist Training Options

Because of the additional responsibility as compared to an assistant, dental hygienists working in Bent Mountain VA dental practices are usually required to hold an Associate Degree in dental hygiene rather than a certificate. These programs can take anywhere from two to as long as three years to finish and must be accredited by the CDA in nearly 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| Some programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Training

attending dental hygienist school online in Bent Mountain VA Choosing an online dental hygienist program may be a great option for obtaining your training. Just keep in mind that the program 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 desktop computer in the convenience of your Bent Mountain VA home or elsewhere on your tablet or laptop. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition fees than their on-campus counterparts. And additional expenses such as for commuting, books and school supplies may be reduced also. The clinical training can usually be performed at a community 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 discipline for this style of learning, you might find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.

Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Bent Mountain VA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Bent Mountain VA, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online options as well. Although these are significant 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. To start that process, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost 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 ensure that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Bent Mountain VA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited schools.

Is Adequate Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have associations with regional dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you choose offers 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, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Bent Mountain VA dental office that focuses on dental services for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal method to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Bent Mountain VA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require assistance landing 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 are likely to have good reputations within the Bent Mountain VA dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.

Are Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Bent Mountain VA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.

What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 comparing the cost of colleges, don’t forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Bent Mountain VA area.

Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to go to classes near Bent Mountain VA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Bent Mountain VA?

Bent Mountain, Virginia

Bent Mountain is an unincorporated community in Roanoke County, Virginia, United States. Bent Mountain is located on U.S. Route 221 13.6 miles (21.9 km) southwest of Roanoke. Bent Mountain has a post office with ZIP code 24059.[2][3]

The community of Bent Mountain sits, as the name implies, on top of the large and fertile Bent Mountain Plateau. It is located in the extreme Southwest corner of Roanoke County and is in close proximity to neighboring Floyd, Franklin, and Montgomery counties. The geographic borders of the mountain are also partially located in Floyd County, which has inspired the annual "Bent Mountain Brawl" Benefit Game between the Cave Spring Knights and the Floyd County Buffaloes.

The roads through Bent Mountain are also historic. "The Salem and Bent Mountain Turnpike Company was charted in 1840 to build a road from Salem, Virginia across Twelve O'clock Knob to Back Creek and thence to the top of Bent Mountain. The road was long delayed in construction, but the route planned was eventually used, and the road is now a hard surfaced state highway." Part of this road followed the famous Trader's Path.[5]

There are two theories about the origin of the name, "Bent Mountain." One of them is that the mountain is named for two early surveyors in the area, James Bent and William Bent, who were brothers and from Pennsylvania. The second theory is that the mountain is shaped like a horseshoe or "bent" mountain. There is also a tradition that the Bent Mountain area had settlers before the rest of the region, probably soon after 1740.[6]

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Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Bent Mountain VA

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist program is essential if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are many options available to obtain your training and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists generally require about two years of studies prior to entering the work force. When obtaining a degree you can choose to attend classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal selection. And by doing so, you will be ready to start your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Bent Mountain VA.