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What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hazel Park MI, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online alternatives as well. Although these may be significant initial points to consider, 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 included 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 many important reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in nearly all states. To qualify 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 education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Hazel Park MI employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not available for non-accredited schools.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the school you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Hazel Park MI dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to obtain 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Hazel Park MI dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Smaller? Ask the programs you are looking at how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Hazel Park MI dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial 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 analyzing the cost of programs, don't forget to add all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Hazel Park MI area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist school, you must confirm that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Hazel Park MI at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.
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