2 year dental hygiene programs in pa

Most degree programs are offered at public community colleges. As such, costs are generally low, especially if you attend a community college in the state in which you are resident. Some community colleges make further discounts for residents of the district where the school is located.

All programs will require at least two years of study. Bear in mind that costs are usually calculated on a cost-per-credit basis. If you attend a private university or college, you can expect costs to be significantly higher. Dental Hygienists form an increasingly important part of the dental clinic. They are specialists in cleaning teeth, but their role is much bigger and covers all aspects of preventative care. They examine the mouth for signs of oral disease such as caries dental cavities , gum disease — the most common of which is gingivitis, infectious diseases such as oral herpes, and oral cancer.

They also play an important role in patient education, health promotion, pain management, infection control and helping patients to maintain and improve their oral health. Financial aid for students may be available through federal student aid or from colleges and universities directly.

Hygienists must be licensed by a state before they may practice there. Almost all states will require you to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination in addition to the state licensing examination before they are eligible to practice.

The scope of duties for which yo may be licensed may vary slightly from state to state. Generally, you will also be required to obtain a CPR certification. Private dental offices are the primary employers of hygienists.

In these settings, practicing in close collaboration with other health professionals, dental hygienists are involved in the assessment of oral health and the diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of oral diseases. Additional services may include oral cancer screening, dental charting, counseling about nutrition, and taking and developing radiographs. They may also perform similar duties while working in hospitals, schools, prison facilities, public health clinics or nursing homes.

While clinical settings are the most common employment situations, there are other opportunities for professionals who want to move beyond clinical work. Some hygienists become corporate representatives or even entrepreneurs , marketing dental products or services, working as consultants, or developing oral health products. All colleges will require that you have a high school diploma or GED equivalency. You will also be required to have a current CPR certificate.

For any college you wish to apply to review the application prerequisites. Be prepared to answer questions such as the following:. The best start you could give your career is most likely achieved by joining a program at US Department of Education-recognized college, of which there are 12 in the Pennsylvania. There is a full list of these schools at the bottom of this page. Before applying for any program, recommend you confirm current accreditation status, tuition fees and federal aid eligibility directly with the college.

We also recommend that you search online for alumni reviews. There are also many excellent dental hygienist schools in New Jersey and Ohio. Successful completion leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree.

CCP has a dental clinic open to the public, which allows students to gain experience working with real patients on campus. If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes. Experience all that campus has to offer with visit options designed just for you.

There are three options for pursuing a degree in dental hygiene. Social Links. Explore our programs. Dental Hygiene B. Learn more. Dental Hygiene, Completion B. Dental Hygiene A. Supplement your bachelor degree with up to two minors. Tour Schedule Seeing is believing. More tour dates are on the way. Need a different date? Upcoming Events Explore Penn College. Check back soon. Pre-College Programs Define your future There are lots of ways to explore your future across all types of majors from nursing to culinary.

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