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Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Wayne MI, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for several online alternatives as well. Even though these are important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist 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 good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually 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 establish that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Wayne MI employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not provided for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental offices 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 type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Wayne MI dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are probably the ideal way to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Wayne MI dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require help landing their first job. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Wayne MI dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are Classrooms Smaller? Find out from the programs you are looking at how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for training where students have greater access to the teachers. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Wayne MI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can 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 based on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant 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 examining the cost of programs, remember to include all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Wayne MI area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Wayne MI 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 making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
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