Deciding to go back to school can be a little scary, but deciding to go to a dental hygienist school can be worse, especially because this school isn’t free. Gone are the days of skipping classes and sleeping in until lunchtime. Also over are the days of cramming for tests, hours before they are given, and missing homework assignments.
Sure you can still participate in all those bad behaviors, but now the school doesn’t care, because you have to pay to play. It’s going to cost you a pretty penny to fall behind on your class or course work, and all the money you’ve taken out in student loans, will never go away, it must be paid back no matter what.
If you don’t graduate, all that time and expense is wasted. You won’t be able to earn an income in the profession you’ve studied, but your student loans will come due as soon as you’re through with dental hygienist school. So making this commitment is no easy or simple thing, but if you are determined, you can successfully conquer this hurdle.
Dental Hygienist School
The first thing that someone considering this field should do is to research all the possibilities surrounding the different dental hygienist schools, as well as the requirements for admission and the different types of dental hygienist programs the schools offer.
Another important facet to consider is whether you will need to work and earn a living while you are enrolled. If so, you should take a close look at the online or distance learning opportunities that many schools are now beginning to offer.
Distance Learning Through a Dental Hygienist School
Thanks to the Internet, there are a plethora of choices available for online learning students. An advantage of this type of program is the fact that in many cases it can accommodate a person’s busy work and family schedule.
There is no need to rush out of work, fight hours of traffic, drive endlessly around campus to find a parking spot, and rush to make a class on time.
Online Dental Hygienist School
Online programs are often designed for your convenience, allowing you to begin your class participation in the comfort of your home, and at a time convenient to you. Additionally, new coursework has been designed to allow you to complete all necessary academic requirements online.
A few schools known for good online programs are:
Northern Arizona University
South San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Phone: (928) 523-9011
Offers degree completion online program/courses and 100% of program can be completed online: All the necessary courses, and requirements are able to be completed online.
Loma Linda University
School of Allied Health Professions
Loma Linda CA 92350
Phone: (909) 558-4599
Offers a degree completion online program/courses, and degree offered online is BS-DH
Percentage of the programs that can be completed online is 76-99%.
University of Bridgeport
126 Park Avenue,
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: 1-800-EXCEL-UB
The school offers four-year degree completion online programs. Degree offered online is a BS-DH. The percentage of the programs that can be completed online is 100%.
Whatever school you choose, it is important that they are accredited by:
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: (312) 440-4653
Jobs Outlook After the Hygienist School
According to the bureau of labor statistics the outlook for dental hygienist jobs is very promising. As of 2008 there were approximately 174,000 dental hygienist personnel, and this occupation ranks as one of the fastest growing in the healthcare industry.
It is expected that employment will continue to grow at least 36 percent through the year 2018, which is a faster average growth rate than most occupations. All you have to do now, is to make a commitment to a dental hygienist school, and begin a rewarding new career.