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Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Shelbyville IN, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Even though these are important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are looking at 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 ideal dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of 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 virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Shelbyville IN employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the program you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Shelbyville IN dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering have internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build professional relationships in the Shelbyville IN dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need assistance landing their first job. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Shelbyville IN dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are evaluating how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a few classes at the Shelbyville IN dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to add all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Shelbyville IN area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Shelbyville IN in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
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