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What to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Great Falls MT, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives also. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the programs you are reviewing in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are many good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental program 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. Great Falls MT employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an important part of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only important that the college you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the program you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Great Falls MT dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental schools you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best means to get 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 develop professional relationships in the Great Falls MT dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help obtaining their first job. Ask if the programs you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Great Falls MT dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are interested in how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Great Falls MT dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are private or public also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other substantial 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 comparing the cost of schools, don't forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Great Falls MT area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while getting your education and have to go to classes near Great Falls MT in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, 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 have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
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