Continuing Education for the Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienist continuing education is something that functions to two core purposes:
- Continuing education classes are a requirement to maintain the dental hygienist license.
- Dental hygienist CEU’s serve the purpose of keeping up on the knowledge to stay aware of the new technology, tools, techniques, innovative medications and the comprehensive information that helps a dental hygienist stay on top and enrich their abilities and skills
It was found though, that the best classes to take are those that are offered in locations that are comfortable and convenient and most preferably, close to home. If you live in California, dental hygiene continuing education classes are easy to find.
Requirements For Dental Hygiene Continuing Education
Naturally, every State, including California, has its own requirements for continuing your education. Every State requires a dental hygienist to undergo continuing education classes every two years, though the frequency and number of hours you need to take varies. You need to stay abreast of what you need, and additionally any changes to what you need as far as continuing your education.
Online Dental Hygiene Continuing Education
It is very easy to find continuing education classes on the Internet, especially at the American Dental Hygienist’s Association (or ADHA). They offer the full gamut of CEU’s: everything from Eating Disorders: Dental & Medical Implications, to Periodental Health & Probiotics. Some of these continuing education classes are $15 for ADHA members, or $30 for the general public. Their advantages are their rapid testing right after the module, and the fact that every module is self-paced and counts for one to two hours of credit. The courses Dental Didactics offers are downloadable for $7, and also work. Before you pay for any online dental hygiene courses, be sure they’re accredited.
Conferences That Offer Dental Hygiene Continuing Education
It can be very enjoyable to attend a continuing education class, but it often costs a lot. There are many short retreat-like courses where dental hygienists go for the maintenance of their licenses. The ADHA offers a continuing education retreat over a three day session each year, with multiple classes that offer dental hygiene continuing education courses are offered. If you are a part of a dental hygienist organization, you can often meet your continuing education requirements at the meetings each year. While this is great for networking and certainly enjoyable, it is a very expensive option.
Kern County Community Colleges
Attending a continuing education course at your local community college can be a good option. First off, the continuing education opportunities are typically all year round, such as what Sacramento City College and the New Hampshire Technical Institute offer. Sacramento will provide you a unit of continuing education for around $250.
Dental Hygiene Schools in California
It is easy to find organizations for dental hygienists which can help you with continuing your education. All 27 dental hygiene schools in California offer CEU’s specifically for dental professionals. Sometimes the classes offered are even alternative, such as the Spanish classes offered in California to help hygienists communicate with the burgeoning Hispanic population. Every State has ample opportunities to maintain your educational requirements, and they are usually very cost effective for the value you receive. That value is not just that Continuing Education Units are mandatory for the dental hygienist to maintain her/his license; these courses also offer invaluable insights into new research and dental methods.