Dental Hygienist Program Alberta
Dental Hygienist Program Alberta
Dental hygiene is an important part of the dental team and plays a vital role in the overall health of your teeth and gums. The profession has undergone significant changes in recent years as dental hygienists now perform many more procedures than they used to. They also provide preventive care services such as teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, oral cancer screening, radiology exams and periodontal therapy on patients with gum disease. In Alberta there are three institutions that offer accredited programs leading to registration as a dental hygienist: University of Alberta (Edmonton), Mount Royal University (Calgary) and Grant MacEwan University (Edmonton).
The Alberta Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) is the governing body in this province. You can find more information on the program and the profession on their website.
If you’re interested in becoming a dental hygienist, the Alberta Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) is the governing body in this province. You can find more information on the program and the profession on their website.
Becoming a registered dental hygienist in Alberta involves a two-year program at one of 3 colleges offering accredited programs.
To become a registered dental hygienist in Alberta, you must complete a two-year program at one of three colleges offering accredited programs. The program consists of courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and more. In addition to these courses, students must complete at least 600 hours of clinical training under supervision from licensed dental hygienists before they can apply for their certificate from the Alberta Dental Hygiene Association.
When you graduate from an accredited program and pass your exam with the ADHA, you are eligible for registration as a registered dental hygienist (RDH). Your license will be valid for five years after which time you will have to recertify by completing continuing education credits or continuing education units (CEUs).
You may be interested in becoming a licensed dental assistant rather than pursuing RDH licensure as well? If so read our article: Licensed Dental Assistants vs Registered Dental Hygienists
It is a competitive process, with many more applicants than available spots, so plan on applying to more than one college.
It is a competitive process, with many more applicants than available spots, so plan on applying to more than one college.
For example, once you’ve completed the application and uploaded your documents, visit [the website for the second school](link) to check your status and make any necessary changes. If it asks for an email address that isn’t yours, don’t worry about entering it; just click “Next” until it asks for an existing email address (one that you know works). Then enter that email address in order to gain access to the system.
The Health Technologies programs are accredited by the Canadian Dental Association and are recognized internationally. The program is divided into 4 semesters of 16 weeks each, with approximately 20 hours per week spent in class and another 15 hours per week spent in labs and clinical practicums.
The Health Technologies programs are accredited by the Canadian Dental Association and are recognized internationally. The program is divided into 4 semesters of 16 weeks each, with approximately 20 hours per week spent in class and another 15 hours per week spent in labs and clinical practicums.
The dental hygienist’s role is to promote oral health through preventive measures such as scaling, polishing and fluoride treatments. They also provide education on home care procedures for patients who need more than the standard prophylactic treatment provided by their dentist.
All three Alberta institutions have full time programs beginning in September. International students may be accepted into the program but must ensure they have the necessary permits to study in Canada. There are also full time, accelerated twelve month programs for those who already have an undergraduate degree in another subject area.
There are three main schools that offer courses in dental hygiene. They are:
- Alberta School of Business and Health (ASBH)
- Mount Royal University
- University of Lethbridge
All three Alberta institutions have full time programs beginning in September. International students may be accepted into the program but must ensure they have the necessary permits to study in Canada. There are also full time, accelerated twelve month programs for those who already have an undergraduate degree in another subject area.
Each institution differs somewhat in the emphasis it places on certain aspects of the curriculum, so students should research each possibility fully before making their decision.
All three universities offer the same basic curriculum and courses, though the school you choose will likely have a different emphasis than others. Depending on your preferences, it may be useful to research each school’s offerings before making a decision. The following are some of the differences between them:
- University of Alberta Dental Hygiene Program – Students at this school spend 7 days per week in clinics for 5 months during their clinical practicum course (5th year). They also have access to an advanced curriculum that includes more time spent in labs than other schools’ programs. Overall, it’s one of the most intensive programs out there!
- University of Calgary Dental Hygiene Program – This program has a large focus on community outreach and education in general; they focus on helping underserved communities access dental hygiene care by working with local dental professionals. Their campus is located in downtown Calgary which makes getting around easy—you never need worry about parking or public transport!
- Mount Royal University Dental Hygiene Program – This program offers two different intakes per year so that students can start either January or August (the latter being recommended). Overall they claim their school has “small class sizes with individualized attention” which might appeal more to certain students than others
Students want to learn more about educational opportunities in the field of dental hygiene
You want to learn more about educational opportunities in the field of dental hygiene?
Dental hygiene is a career that involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions that affect teeth and gums. To become a dental hygienist you must complete an accredited program at an accredited institution. After graduation, you’ll need to apply for a license before you can practice as a registered professional. In Alberta there are many licensed dental hygienists working in private practices across the province or working in various areas within public health facilities such as hospitals or community clinics.
The cost of this program depends on many factors such as tuition fees for each term (semester), books & supplies required for your courses, living costs including accommodation expenses if applicable etc…. The length of time it takes to complete this program will depend on whether you attend full-time (40 hours per week) or part time (10 hours per week). There are additional benefits associated with being enrolled in this course including: gaining valuable work experience while earning credits towards your degree; learning how to work effectively with others through group assignments; developing skills related specifically towards careers within healthcare settings; having access***Section Header: Students want to learn more about educational opportunities in the field of dental hygiene
As you can see, the field of dental hygiene is an exciting one and there are many career options available to those who want to work in this field. If you are interested in learning more about how to become a dental hygienist, check out our website at www.dentalhygienestudentguide.com