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What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Clarksville IN, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for some online alternatives also. Although these may be important initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, 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 guarantee that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Clarksville IN employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Clarksville IN dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal way to receive hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Clarksville IN dental profession in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the schools you are looking at how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Clarksville IN dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when comparing the cost of colleges, don't forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Clarksville IN area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near Clarksville IN at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
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