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Subjects to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Ozone Park NY, you can start the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, many students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options also. Although these are relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Ozone Park NY employers frequently prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is an essential part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist programs have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you select provides adequate 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, check that the college you select offers clinical rotation in a local Ozone Park NY dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are considering sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective method to receive hands-on, clinical 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 as well.
Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Ozone Park NY dental community in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are looking at how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Ozone Park NY dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most colleges have financial assistance offices, so be sure to ask what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Ozone Park NY area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near Ozone Park NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still be required 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 due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
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