Is There Any Such Thing As An Online Dental Hygiene Program?
NO!! NO!! We’ve seen the ads for them, but there isn’t a single valid one. The California Department of Consumer Affairs is home to the Dental Hygiene Committee of California. The DHCC licenses individuals, and the Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits the actual schools offering Dental Hygiene programs. NONE of them accept or endorse an online dental hygiene program. So, whenever you see those slick ads promising you an online dental hygiene program, run away as fast as possible! So, although Continuing Education Units from an accepted online program are usually accepted by the proper credentialing agency, this is for those who have already completed one of the valid dental hygiene programs. Don’t let some scammer trick you out of your time and hard-earned money!
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How To Become A Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygiene Schools In California
For all those individuals interested in becoming professional a dental hygienist, attending one of the accredited dental hygiene schools in California is mandatory. Dental hygiene schools give the professional education that is required to become a registered practitioner. It is necessary that the institute from which the degree of dental hygiene is gained is an accredited institute to be able to compete for the rising number of jobs in this field.
Dental hygienists, trained and educated from dental hygiene schools, are healthcare professionals who work as part of the dental team and play an important role in providing high quality healthcare services to patients. Together with the dentist, they work on how best to deliver a therapeutic treatment, but the end provision of their dental services is done independently. Their job is to provide preventive services to patients from all age groups.
Their preventive services exclude cutting or removing teeth of patients. Specifically, they specialize in oral hygiene and preventive oral health. In most circumstances, they perform scaling, remove deposits from teeth, help in avoiding cavities, instruct patients on how to take care of oral hygiene and perform many more procedures. To be able to perform all these procedures up to the required standards and up to patients’ expectations, a good educational background from dental hygiene schools will help a great deal.
Dental Hygienist Job Description
A Dental hygienist’s job description demands much more than just those mentioned above. Below are five steps through which they must impart care and good treatment to their patients: The first is to assess the patient: The major part of the job of the dental hygienist is to take a full review of the patients’ medical history. This involves not just investigating past medical history but also taking x-rays and a clinical exam. An assessment is also made by exploring the mouth and probing to find different problems and symptoms. Investigation must be done thoroughly in order to proceed properly through the rest of the steps. The second stage is to diagnose the dental hygiene of the patient: This involves investigating the major disease that the patient is suffering from. A proper diagnosis is done by examining the patients’ condition. However, the final treatment must be first approved by the doctor. The third step is planning a treatment for the patient in a proper sequence: Every patient will demand a treatment plan according to his or her needs. The fourth step is to carry out the treatment plan.
The final step is then to evaluate how successful the treatment plan was and to what extent it has solved the patient’s problem.
Over a period of years or months a dental hygienist may get an idea about the conditions of patients several times, by altering the diagnosis and plan as the patients condition changes. To be able to work in the field of dental hygiene, the requirement is to first have an educational degree from any dental hygiene schools. In most universities, this is a 4 year bachelor’s degree program. It may also be a 2 year associate’s degrees such as that which is taught at community colleges and technical schools. However, it is recommended to have a 4-year bachelor degree because it more widens the scope of an individual. An associate’s degree might still be sufficient for practicing at a private health clinic, but for jobs in research, teaching or administration, the four-year program is necessary. The specific program structure varies for different dental hygiene schools, but the following courses are usually taught in almost all dental hygiene schools: Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology.
In different countries, the requirement varies for qualifying as a dental hygienist. In Australia, for example, it is necessary for professionals to graduate from dental hygiene schools. They can get either any associate degree or an advanced degree. However, most students opt for a bachelor’s degree from any of the dental hygiene schools of Australia, but that must be accredited by Australian Dental Council (ADC).