It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Montville CT, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online options as well. Although these may be relevant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program 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. Montville CT employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, often they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the college you choose offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Montville CT dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental programs you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective means to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Montville CT dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Montville CT dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Ask the programs you are evaluating how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal atmosphere for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Montville CT dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Montville CT area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Montville CT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
Find Out More About Studying to Become a Dental Hygienist in Montville