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Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Durham NH, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they look for some online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided 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 School Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Durham NH employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential portion of every dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you select provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Durham NH dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Ask if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need assistance getting their first job. Check if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Durham NH dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Check with the programs you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Durham NH dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Total Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and whether 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 expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, don't forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial assistance departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Durham NH area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Durham NH at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online program, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family responsibilities.
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