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What to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Dunwoody GA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they look for several online alternatives as well. Although these are significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Dunwoody GA employers frequently desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited schools.
Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is an important part of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Dunwoody GA dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal means to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting their first job. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Dunwoody GA dental profession as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Ask the schools you are looking at how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for training where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Dunwoody GA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Dunwoody GA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? 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 acquiring your education and have to attend classes near Dunwoody GA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
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