Alabama Dental Hygiene Program
We just returned from our mandatory course for the doctor sponsors of students enrolled in the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program. This unique program enables students to obtain the necessary education and training to become dental hygienists. Alabama is the only state with this type program. It is administered by the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners and requires the student attend intense weeks of study in a university setting. Then the student returns for clinical training and experience in the office under the direction of the sponsoring dentist. They must complete additional hours of didactic study by returning to Birmingham over many long weekends throughout the year. There are several university based programs in Alabama as well, but this program is particularly valuable to students wishing to stay employed while receiving their education. It's also great for the dentists because you don't loose a good employee. You have to be a full time assistant for one year before entering the hygiene program. There are also didactic tests along the way in anatomy, pathology, etc. The courses are more difficult than many anticipate. In fact, many students do not complete the program due to poor academic performance. However, if a student passes the program, they become eligible to take the Alabama Board Exam for licensure. They said us doctors could come down and attend classes with the hygiene students if we wanted to. Umm, I'm not so sure about that...
Details of the program can be found here: ADHP Information
Labels: Dental School
posted by Dr. Dean Brandon @ 2:40 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
My daughter just finished this program, with great success I might add/brag. It's no cake walk by any means. She spent hours and hours reading, studying, performing skills for the dentist, etc. I don't understand why some don't consider this a true training method. It's very intensive and hands on. Probably more-so than a "regular" collegiate course. Vicki
I am interested in this program and would welcome any advice you could give. I have been a chairside assistant for 20 years with a pediatric dentist in Albany, GA. I will be relocating to the Montgomery area in spring/summer 2008. Could you tell me the best way to go about applying for the dental hygiene program? I also would like any infomation on applying for employment in the Montgomery area. Thank you so much. Your website is awesome and I look forward to hearing from you. My email is valentinehrt@yahoo.com
Check out the link on the post to the ADHP. Remember you have to be a dental assistant for a year before you apply. I am not sure if you have to be employed in Alabama or not. Contact Mary Ann Wilkinson at the board. They are good to answer all these kinds of questions on the program. Sorry, but I can't help you on the employment thing.
I am a college-trained hygienist. All other states do not approve of this kind of training. I will not go into all of that here, but anyone who truly wants to become a hygienist, needs to explore all their options. I am extremely proud of my degree-I graduated first in my class!
You should be proud. By the way, Alabama also has four year degree programs too. Yes, a student should look at all options.
Hey! First wanted to say that I've enjoyed reading for your blogs. They have been very interesting. The desinger travel tooth brush? haha who would have thought..
I have just recently graduated from high school, and I am set on becomming and Dental Hygienist.. I've decided that I want to go about becoming that by going through the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program.. And inorder to do that I know you have to be a full time Dental Assistant for at least a year. So I was wondering if you might have a little insight, or advice on which dentist would be good to work and learn from. and who is a dentist around this area that would be able to sponsor me.. any help would be greatly appericated.. thank Youuu! :-)
Bethita49@hotmail.com
You can always send your resume to a prospective dental office. Even if they are not hiring, they may give you a call later on. You can apply to the hygiene program once you have some experience as a dental assistant.
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