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Points to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Riverdale GA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Maybe they look for several online alternatives also. Even though these may be significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are comparing 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 right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Riverdale GA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Riverdale GA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective method to get 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 form professional relationships in the Riverdale GA dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help obtaining their first job. Check if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Riverdale GA dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Smaller? Ask the colleges you are reviewing how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate setting for training where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Riverdale GA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But besides 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 comparing the cost of schools, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Riverdale GA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Riverdale GA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select 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 because of illness, work or family issues.
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