Dental hygiene courses in northern VA, DC metro area?

My son came out from UT to go to NVCC to qualify as a DH, but has been badly advised, and now it looks like they won't even let him apply till Fall 2009. Anywhere else he can train around here (or online)? Thanks!

polly in Alexandria, Virginia said: My son came out from UT to go to NVCC to qualify as a DH, but has been badly advised, and now it looks like they won't even let him apply till Fall 2009. Anywhere else he can train around here (or online)? Thanks!

Allegany College of Maryland is a good school and there is probably no waiting list.

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond,VA and Old Dominion University in Virginia Beach,VA, and Howard University in Washington, DC has an excellent hygiene program.
Also Baltimore Community College has a hygiene program in Baltimore, MD there all competitive because so many people want the program but little to spaces but the Universities offer better entrance and qualifications for you degree.

"am in Washington," is the dental hygiene program still competitive even though it's only a certificate program? I'm trying to decide between NVCC and Howard bc of the location, and can't decide...nobody at the school returns my calls.

Ford said: "am in Washington," is the dental hygiene program still competitive even though it's only a certificate program? I'm trying to decide between NVCC and Howard bc of the location, and can't decide...nobody at the school returns my calls.

I dont believe it is a certificate program!

I'm sorry, I left something out in my post. I was referring to Howard University's dental hygiene program since "am in Washington" said it was excellent. On Howard's website, it says it's a certificate program. NVCC has an associate's degree program. Is it better to get a certificate from a University, or a degree from a community college?

I think all programs are degrees not certificates. I don't know about Alabama as they have their own. Make sure they are accredited and it's not uncommon to be put on a waiting list. Have your son apply through the official process and he may get in when someone drops and they always do. Even a couple weeks into it he may get a call.

Are dental hygienists responsible for their own health insurance or is it common place to have the employer (aka dentist) offer group plans? With some past medical history I am finding it hard to find individual plans without denial or outrageous premiums (planning to go through DH school and need insurance for that)

Anyone?

I graduated from Allegany DH program 2008. It is a 2 yr degree. Baltimore City Community College is a 2 yr degree as well. Howard U is a certificate. All 3 schools allow you to sit for the appropriate boards. All 3 schools are very full. You need to basically have all of your basic course out of the way to be accepted for the clinical portions as there are so many people wanting into the programs. Univ. Of MD offers a 4 yr degree for DH. Good Luck.

Thanks for your reply Kristen. Did you get a lot of job offers with your degree from Allegany? What kind of offers in pay did you get (if you don't mind me asking)?

Ortholove in Fairfax, Virginia said: Are dental hygienists responsible for their own health insurance or is it common place to have the employer (aka dentist) offer group plans? With some past medical history I am finding it hard to find individual plans without denial or outrageous premiums (planning to go through DH school and need insurance for that)

Anyone?

Usually you are on your own. I have been a licensed hygienist for 15 years and I have never gotten a paid holiday, let alone insurance. I know it is possible, but it is NOT the norm.

Ortholove in Fairfax, Virginia said: Are dental hygienists responsible for their own health insurance or is it common place to have the employer (aka dentist) offer group plans? With some past medical history I am finding it hard to find individual plans without denial or outrageous premiums (planning to go through DH school and need insurance for that)

Anyone?

It depends on the DDS. Some small practices don't offer insurance because some insurances companies won't carry just one person. It really depends on the DDS. If you go through the Dental society they may help you find an agency. I've done this once. Just to let you know if you need family it is going to be exspenive no matter if the DDS pays a portion. The best insurance comes from the hospital but good luck with that the pay is very low. I think the insurance in Va is way too much. When I worked in NY I paid $60 every 2 wks for a family. Now that's good insurance. But that was in a hospital and the pay was low.

Ford said: "am in Washington," is the dental hygiene program still competitive even though it's only a certificate program? I'm trying to decide between NVCC and Howard bc of the location, and can't decide...nobody at the school returns my calls.

As a dental hygiene student at Howard U Dental School ( I asked that same question 2yrs ago) i'd suggest you really think it through. Good luck with everything.

Hi BTGOG,

Do you mean I should reconsider getting in to dental hygiene in the first place? How do you like being a hygiene student at Howard? Do you think your certificate will be more competitive than a 2 yr degree from NOVA? I would appreciate any details/insight you are willing to share (especially things you dislike about dental hygiene that you didn't expect before enrolling, job search, and such).

Thanks

NO I was not suggesting you reconsider dental hygiene.

Not that long ago I was doing the same thing your doing posting an ad on a forum asking if I should go to Howard which is closer or down Va which is farther away--2hr ride transfer on 2 different buses and 2 different trains just to get to Va.

Howard is a 10min drive or a 20 to 30min bus ride for me transferring buses also--> This is how I made the decision. I don't know you but I don't want you to make this decision based on which school is closer when they are both metro assessable.

Is there one school that your prefer more than the other if so which one?

Somethings you mentioned like is a certificate better than an associates degree don't worry about that because either one will allow you to sit in for the national board exam.

And my dislikes would not be fair to you because it may discourage you and that is the last thing I would want to do. As a dh student I will not bad mouth the dh program I attend.
As for you I say go for it. I wish you much success.

YOU LIVE IN THE DMV AREA SO KEEP IN MIND YOU CAN GET TO BOTH BY METRO--MAKE A SMART DECISION WHICH SCHOOL IS BEST FOR YOU?
NOT WHICH LOCATION IS THE QUICKEST TO GET TO.

I capitalized the words for a reason I hope you get the hint.

Okay I see what you're saying, thanks for the advice BTGOG. I thought maybe since Howard is more prestigious than a community college it might look better on your resume? Plus I don't know if the quality of training is better there but I heard NOVA has a pretty good hygiene program. I enrolled in NOVA and am taking prerequisites so I can apply next year. I wasn't leaning towards one school more than the other and NOVA is closer and you get a degree so I chose NOVA.

If distance and money was absolutely not a factor, I wish I could go to VCU in Richmond instead since they have a BA program but it is really too far and I almost flipped when I saw they out-of-state tuition rates...I can't afford it!

Howard has an excellent dh program and excellent reputation. But, your in Va and going to school there is a better commute and plus you will be learning the same information just at different institution.

PS: Go to the schools and talk to the students that should give you insight into whether that particular program is for you--> Talk to them by themselves or if they're in a group. Just not in front of any instructors because they will not be able to speak open and honestly.