It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Rochester NY, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Possibly they search for several online options also. Although these may be relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are several important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Rochester NY employers often prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Practical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a necessary portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. A number of dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Rochester NY dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental colleges you are considering have an internship program. Internships are probably the most effective means 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 develop professional relationships in the Rochester NY dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Many graduating students of dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Rochester NY dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Small? Find out from the colleges you are looking at how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, find out if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Rochester NY dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the level of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, don't forget to include all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Rochester NY area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to attend classes near Rochester NY at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up practice is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Rochester