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Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Antioch CA, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Even though these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Antioch CA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only essential that the school you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Antioch CA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal means to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Antioch CA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance getting their first job. Ask if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Antioch CA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the colleges you are evaluating how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Antioch CA dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Antioch CA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Antioch CA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family issues.
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