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Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Lawrence KS, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many potential students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they search for some online options as well. Even though these are significant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should address to the schools you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program 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. Lawrence KS employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the program you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Lawrence KS dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental schools you are considering have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best way to obtain hands-on, clinical 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 are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need assistance getting their first job. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Lawrence KS dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are Classrooms Smaller? Ask the programs you are interested in how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Lawrence KS dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 comparing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Lawrence KS area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Lawrence KS in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.
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