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Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lake Zurich IL, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many students start by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options also. Even though these are significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Lake Zurich IL employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary component of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you enroll in provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lake Zurich IL dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective means to receive 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 develop professional relationships in the Lake Zurich IL dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help getting their first job. Check if the programs you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Lake Zurich IL dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Lake Zurich IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs 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 add all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Lake Zurich IL area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to go to classes near Lake Zurich IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
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