5 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Alberta

The dental hygienist schools in Alberta expose students to fantastic dental techniques and practices that conform to global best practices.

Those that are students of the various dental hygienist schools in Alberta are aware of this but it is not so obvious to many others, that a dental hygienist is classified as a licensed dentist, on the contrary, this is because they perform their duties independently of them and require their supervision. It is important to note that both a dental hygienist and a licensed dentist play a pivotal role in the health and treatment of dental ailments.

One of the roles which can be associated with a dental hygienist is the preparation of the teeth such as cleaning and setting of dental equipment before the patient is due to be seen by the dentist. Like most medical professions, both the dental hygienist and the licensed dentists are registered licensed dental professionals that are required to have successfully excelled in stringent academic work.

Such stringent academic work also produces some of the finest nurses through the accelerated nursing programs in Texas. The medical profession is considered a heroic field and care is taken to ensure that those who are practicing are actually licensed and registered professionals in the various fields they operate under.

To this end, the accelerated nursing programs of Virginia take their respective students through the rigorous course work and training process to fine-tune those who enroll in it and at the same time weed out those who unfortunately do not possess the affinity for the field.

To detour a little, for those who are wondering where they can fulfill their life goal of being a medical doctor, well the medical schools that are found in New York are one fine place to get the training you desire. Also, for students and medical professionals, there are great medical books that can be downloaded for free all thanks to the miracle that is the internet.

Requirements for Dental Hygienist Schools in Alberta

To become a dental hygienist, you must have a certificate or degree that combines classroom instruction with practical experience. Studying these courses requires a National Senior Certificate that satisfies the prerequisites for a diploma or degree program.

Average Cost of Dental Hygienist Schools in Alberta

A dental hygiene bachelor’s degree will set you back around $44,900 overall. The typical monthly cost is going to be close to $2,420.

Dental Hygienist Schools in Alberta

Best Dental Hygienist Programs in Alberta

1. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta provides five primary programs for students interested in the dental industry: dentistry, dental hygiene, graduate studies, dental residency programs, and continuing education for dental professionals.

Candidates for this four-year or 11-term undergraduate program must have completed at least two pre-professional years of school in order to be eligible.

The fundamentals of dental anatomy are studied throughout the first two years of the DDS program, which also includes several physiology courses. The final two years will incorporate clinical practice, laboratory, and contact at actual clinics.

You will now be placed in their Advanced Placement program if you have already earned a dental degree from a school that the Commission of Dental Accreditation does not recognize for Canada (CDAC) or the Commission of Dental Accreditation for the United States (CODA).

You must have completed four years of dental school and the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) Examination provided by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada in order to be eligible for this course (NDEB). You’ll start the dentistry program in the second year if your application is approved.

Additional qualifications include passing test results for English proficiency and documentation of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Once you’ve been accepted, you must reserve your spot with a $1,000 non-refundable deposit, which will be subtracted from your tuition costs.

The University of Alberta also provides a Master’s and Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in dentistry if you choose to continue your education. These consist of courses in periodontology, orthodontics, and oral biology.

They provide a postgraduate Dental General Practice Residency Program that lasts one year if you need to fulfill a residency requirement. Keep in mind that there are only four jobs available each year, making it one of the most sought-after in Alberta.

For individuals who are currently employed as professionals in the area of dentistry, certification programs and courses are among the several postgraduate studies available. This keeps them informed, broadens their horizons, and gives them the chance to add to their skill set.

2. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

A three-year diploma degree in Denturist Technology is available from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), which instructs students in the evaluation, production, and installation of full and partial dentures. The first two years are spent on theories and technical training, while the last year is spent learning how to do things in a mock clinic.

However, depending on the requirements set out by the local regulating body of the area in which they wish to practice, graduates of the denturist school may still be required to complete a one- or two-year residency and pass extra exams.

Additionally, NAIT provides a two-year Dental Technology diploma program that teaches students how to design dental appliances that fix problems. They will learn how to construct complete or partial dentures and how to maintain orthodontic appliances like crowns and bridges.

Last but not least, NAIT offers a diploma degree in Dental Assisting Technology that equips students with the knowledge and abilities to assist dentists and dental hygienists. The curriculum adequately equips its graduates for a variety of careers, including dental sciences, administration, and treating oral infections.

The dental curriculum at NAIT includes over 1,730 hours of instruction in a small-group format, with a focus on training and practical skills. The average student’s weekly schedule will include 15 hours of study time and 28–30 hours of class time.

Since this institution welcomes open studies, international students, and advanced credit, transfer students or those with primary education can easily fit into their program. Dental school graduates at NAIT are qualified to sit for the National Board Examination, which is required for Canadian certification.

Their CDAC-certified programs will aid graduates in finding employment in a variety of dental settings, including general offices, specialized clinics, and community health care facilities, to mention a few. Because of the various schedule options and the possibility of taking certain sessions online, we enjoy the NAIT programs.

3. CDI College

For the last 50 years, CDI College has been offering education and training, assisting students in pursuing their desired professional choices. As one of Canada’s top training facilities, they provide a variety of programs that span a wide range of vocations.

Their only curriculum is a 45-week Dental Assisting diploma program that educates students through in-depth lectures and hands-on instruction. They’ll be prepared to compete for a job in the dentistry profession after they graduate.

In-patient preparation, radiograph processing, infection control methods, and other administrative duties are just a few of the topics that will be covered in class. Oral-facial science, environmental health and safety, and other fundamental dental issues will also be discussed.

The dentistry program in this location has been granted accreditation by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), making applicants eligible to sit for the NDAEB Certification Exam. Following graduation, graduates might look for jobs as certified dental assistants in dental offices, dental labs, or dental distribution and manufacturing businesses.

The course also includes a 140-hour practicum where students will assist a privately employed dentist in their practice. The completion of this unpaid on-the-job training is a requirement for the diploma.

For the Dental Assisting course, the sole prerequisites are a Grade 12 diploma transcript, a police clearance, and an immunization record. For older students, verified transcripts with at least 33 credits toward an Alberta high school diploma and a minimum grade of 50% in English or Math must be shown.

We appreciate CDI College because students may select between a nighttime class schedule and a daytime schedule, which is great for individuals who have other obligations. For individuals who qualify and satisfy the requirements, financial help is also made available.

4. KDM Dental College

The sole dental school in the Edmonton region is KDM Dental College, a certified vocational institution. They give students instruction in both theory and practical knowledge, preparing them to join any dental team successfully and productively.

A very expedited 28-week or 7-month Dental Assistant curriculum is available; each day, there are around 2-3 hours of in-person instruction. This accelerated course is ideal for people who want to get started working in the field as soon as possible.

During the final 12 weeks of the program, students receive actual clinical training that consists of practice, evaluations, and demonstrations. The final two weeks of the program are reserved for patient clinics, which span all day from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Students at KDM Dental College must also complete 150 hours of on-the-job training. The dental assistant program must be completed, and this unpaid practicum is a prerequisite.

For senior students, only a grade 10 level is necessary, whereas undergraduates need a high school transcript from grade 12. To be eligible for admission to KDM Dental College, both must pass an admissions test with a score of at least 75%.

Students who successfully complete the curriculum are qualified to apply for the NDAEB theoretical test. In order to obtain their license to operate as a Registered Dental Assistant in the province after passing the exam, candidates must still register with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants.

The fact that KDM Dental College also serves as a placement service for people searching for jobs, whether domestically or abroad, further distinguishes it from other dental colleges. This institution is an excellent alternative for students who want to start working right away because potential businesses can post job postings for any of the school’s graduates.

5. NorQuest College

The mission of NorQuest College is to provide its students with the knowledge and training they need to pursue new careers, support their families, and make a positive impact on the world. They provide post-secondary diploma and certificate programs that can help graduates find employment in the business, community, and health sectors.

Students learn about the administrative responsibilities of a dental business throughout their accelerated 12-week certificate program. The training will cover lectures on the use of dental software, procedures, and terminology.

This program is designed for people who are interested in gaining experience in the healthcare sector, specifically at a dental clinic. Candidates must be able to type at least 40 words per minute and have moderate computer skills.

Students may choose to have their 150-hour, unpaid practicum close to where they live or in their neighborhood. The given schedule, which can include nighttime hours, weekends, and holidays, won’t be in their hands, though.

International students are cautioned against enrolling in this program due to its short duration since a work visa for the practicum may not be obtained in time.

Furthermore, to be eligible for completion of this certificate program, students must pass two extra classes at a cost of $40 each. The first is training on handling dangerous substances at work, and the second is a course on human blood-borne pathogen exposure.

These two extra lessons, nevertheless, may be finished in a week as they are just 4-6 hours long. They may be taken online from the comfort of your home, making it even more convenient.

Be aware that NorQuest requires students to have their own computer for this course, and that it must satisfy the minimum criteria required by the institution. Since students must utilize Microsoft 365 and other products that are only compatible with Windows 10 PCs, using Mac laptops is not advised.

Conclusion

The Dental Schools in Alberta are some of the finest in the world at the same time economical. It would be a wise decision to enroll in any of them.

Dental Schools in Alberta-FAQs

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