Dental Assisting To Dental Hygienist Bridge Programs Online
Dental assisting is a rewarding career that can lead to a rewarding career in dental hygiene. The dental assistant is the first point of contact for patients and plays an important role in providing treatment and care. With the right training, you can move on to become a licensed dental hygienist, which means better hours and higher pay.
Dental assistants work in all areas of dentistry, including private practices, hospitals, nursing homes and public health facilities. As a dental assistant, you will be responsible for providing routine dental care under the direct supervision of a dentist or other licensed dentist. Your duties include taking X-rays and photographs; preparing patients for examinations and procedures; sterilizing equipment; assisting with treatment; keeping records; maintaining inventory; scheduling appointments; answering phones and greeting patients; performing clerical duties such as filing charts and ordering supplies; referring patients to specialists when necessary; managing insurance claims and payments; handling emergencies such as bleeding gums or broken crowns; answering questions about oral health problems or treatments (while following HIPAA guidelines); cleaning teeth using ultrasonic instruments (sonicare); removing plaque with dental scalers (
Dental Assisting To Dental Hygienist Bridge Programs Online
Introduction
If you’re looking for a career change, an online Dental Assisting to Dental Hygenist Bridge Program might be the perfect fit for you. These courses are offered at many different levels and can help you achieve your goals of advancing in the dental field. In this article, we’ll discuss the different online options available to students and how they can help you prepare for a new career.
Requirements
Anyone who wants to work in the dental field should have a high school diploma or GED. In most states, you will need to complete an accredited training program at an accredited community college or technical school. You may also need to pass a written exam as part of your state licensure process.
The requirements for becoming a dental hygienist vary by state and by employer, but most require graduation from an accredited educational institution followed by completion of clinical hours in a supervised setting and passing a national board exam. Dental assistants usually learn their skills on the job after earning their certificate or diploma from an accredited training program.
Online Bridge Programs
Online bridge programs are designed to help you earn your dental hygienist degree in a fraction of the time it would take if you were attending a traditional college or university. Online bridge programs are self-paced, which means that you can complete coursework at your own pace. Most online bridge programs are also affordable, with tuition costs starting under $10,000 per year—and some even costing nothing at all!
Online Bridge Programs vs. 2-Year Colleges
Another great advantage of online dental hygiene programs is their flexibility; many students find that they can fit their classes into full-time jobs while still working towards earning their dental hygienist degree. Online courses also allow students to study from anywhere in the world!
Degree Completion Program
Dental Assisting to Dental Hygienist Bridge Programs Online
Online bridge programs allow students to complete their associate’s degree in as little as two years and then transfer into a dental hygiene program. The curriculum is designed to closely match that of accredited four-year schools, with courses covering topics like gingival disease, advanced periodontal therapy, oral anatomy and physiology, dental materials science and much more.
In addition to earning an associates degree in dental assisting you’ll also learn the skills needed for entry level employment at health care facilities such as hospitals or private practices where you’ll assist dentists with patient care procedures such as surgical extractions and fillings while maintaining high standards of ethical conduct required by all healthcare providers (see below). If you’re considering becoming a dental hygienist but don’t have any experience yet this is definitely worth checking out!
Master’s Degree Program
Master’s Degree Program
A master’s degree program is designed for students who want to prepare themselves to teach in a dental hygienist program, or specialize in a specific area of dentistry. Students who are already working in the field may choose this as well, especially if they would like to advance their career by becoming an educator or by specializing in an area such as periodontics (study of gum tissue), oral surgery (surgery relating to the mouth) or endodontics (root canal treatment). The Master of Science in Dentistry will typically take two years to complete with full-time enrollment.
Capstone Project
The capstone project is a final project that students complete in order to graduate. It can be completed in a lab, in the field, or in the classroom. The capstone project demonstrates what you have learned throughout your program and also shows how well you apply it to real-life situations.
Courses Offered
There are many courses to choose from, and they can be taken in a variety of formats. Dental assistant bridge programs are offered in class sessions at dental schools, community colleges and for-profit institutions. They may also be available online via distance learning formats. The average course length is nine months to two years depending on the institution you choose and your previous experience as a dental assistant.
You may complete your program in as little as one year if you have no prior experience as a dental assistant or hygienist, but most students need more time than that to complete their studies. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the flexibility provided by an online program, look for institutions that offer hybrid classes where students meet once per week with instructors face-to-face while working on their own over the internet throughout the rest of the week.
Careers with a Dental Hygienist Degree
As a dental hygiene student, you may consider the following careers:
- Dental hygienist – Most of our graduates go on to pursue this career. A dental hygienist is a licensed professional who helps patients maintain their oral health by providing preventative, restorative and cosmetic services. Dental hygienists work in private dental practices, hospitals, community health clinics and schools, as well as in private offices with dentists or orthodontists. They also work in home care settings when patients have impaired mobility.
- Registered dental assistant – With more than 50 percent of our graduates pursuing this career option after graduation from our program, it’s definitely one you can seriously consider if you want to increase your earning potential and move up the ladder toward management positions within the field of dentistry. Registered assistants work under supervision of licensed dentists and other registered professionals such as registered dental hygienists or certified periodontists.*
Many online courses are offered for those wishing to change careers.
Many online courses are offered for those wishing to change careers. The convenience of the internet allows students to learn from their home or office. Online courses are a good option for those who are unable to attend traditional classes or have already completed a degree and want to change careers, but need additional training in order to become licensed professionals.
Conclusion
Dental hygienist careers are in high demand. Most dental hygienists work full-time and earn good salaries, which makes this career a good choice for those who want to change their careers.