Dental Hygienist Schools Near Me in Newington VA 22122 - Train to Become a Dental Hygienist

How to Select a Dental Hygienist School near Newington Virginia

Newington VA dental hygienist with patient Selecting the ideal dental hygienist school near Newington VA is an essential initial step toward starting your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your selection, you must evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the program with the lowest tuition or enrolling in the college that is nearest to your residence. There are other significant issues to consider also, including the program’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 lengthier training of a hygienist comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and supplemental questions that you should be asking the dental hygienist schools you are evaluating later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental hygienists and the training programs available.

The Function of Dental Hygienists

Newington VA pediatric dental hygienist with patient When comparing the job of a dental hygienist to that of an assistant, the most significant difference is probably that the hygienist works more independently. Dental assistants work with and in support of the Newington VA practice and the dentists. Hygienists, while also supporting the practice, deal with the patients more on a one-to-one basis. They are usually the first person a patient interacts with when called from the waiting area. They examine every patient’s gums and teeth and report their findings to the dentists. They also may carry out basic procedures. Depending on state law, a hygienist’s responsibilities may include:

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

In order to be licensed in almost 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 Examination as well as any state licensing examinations. When they have fulfilled these requirements they are deemed fully licensed and may 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 Newington VA dental practices are usually required to have 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 virtually 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 practical component to the training as well| A number of programs also offer internships with local dentists or dental practices.

Online Dental Hygienist Classes

attending dental hygienist school online in Newington VA Selecting an online dental hygienist school may be a great alternative for obtaining your education. Just remember that the classes will not be completely online, since there will be a practical component to your training. But the remainder of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the convenience of your Newington VA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those working while attending college, online dental programs make education much more obtainable. Some may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus competitors. And added expenses for items like books, school supplies and commuting may be reduced also. The practical training can typically be completed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything needed to get the appropriate education is provided. If you have the discipline for this method of education, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the best choice for you.

Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges

teeth cleaned by Newington VA dental hygienist Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Newington VA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, a number of potential students start by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they look for some online options also. Although these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Newington VA employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.

Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Newington VA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.

Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to get 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 develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Find out if the programs you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Newington VA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.

Are Classrooms Smaller? Check with the programs you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Newington VA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of schools, don’t forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so make sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Newington VA area.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Newington VA at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose 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 have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family responsibilities.

Attending Dental Hygienist School near Newington VA?

Newington, Virginia

Newington is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 12,943 at the 2010 census.[3] The 2010 census showed a significant decrease after half the population was split off to the newly created Newington Forest CDP.

Newington is located in southern Fairfax County at 38°44′7″N 77°12′13″W / 38.73528°N 77.20361°W / 38.73528; -77.20361 (38.735414, -77.203558).[4] It is bordered to the north by Springfield, to the northeast by Franconia and Kingstowne, to the east and southeast by Fort Belvoir, to the southwest by Lorton, to the west by Newington Forest, and to the northwest by West Springfield. Interstate 95 passes through the middle of the CDP, with access from Exit 166 (Virginia Route 286, the Fairfax County Parkway). Washington, D.C. is 16 miles (26 km) to the northeast via I-95 and I-395, and Fredericksburg is 37 miles (60 km) to the southwest. The Fairfax County Parkway leads northwest 16 miles (26 km) to Interstate 66 between Fairfax and Centreville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Newington CDP has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km2), of which 4.6 square miles (11.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.97%, is water.[3]

The community of Newington derives its name from the second glebe house of Truro Parish, completed in 1760 and so named after becoming the private residence of Richard and Sarah McCarty Chichester sometime after 1767. The house itself was purchased by the family of William Nevitt, in 1828, along with 1000 acres of land; they occupied the building until it burned in 1875. The Alexandria and Fredericksburg Railroad opened a railway station on the property in April 1872. Originally known as the Long Branch Station and later renamed Accotink and then Newington, it was closed in 1971; it is remembered by a historic marker erected by the Fairfax County History Commission in 2005.[5] Also in the Newington area are the remains of the Mount Air plantation, originally granted to Dennis McCarty in 1727. The house was destroyed by fire in 1992, but ruins remain; they are denoted by a historic marker, erected in 2006,[6] and owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority, which interprets the site.[7]

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Enroll in the Ideal Dental Hygienist School near Newington VA

Choosing the ideal dental hygienist course is crucial if you wish to take the National Board Dental Hygiene examination or, if mandated in your state, become licensed. As we have covered, there are many alternatives offered to obtain your education and it takes a fairly short period of time to become a dental hygienist. You can receive your formal education through dental programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes and trade schools. Graduates of these schools typically receive an Associate Degree. Dental Hygienists typically require approximately 2 years of studies prior to entering the job market. When earning a degree you can choose to attend classes on-campus or online. Whichever mode of training you elect to pursue, by addressing the questions provided in this article you will be better prepared to make the best choice. And by doing so, you will be ready to begin your journey toward becoming a dental hygienist in Newington VA.