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Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Durham NC, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, many students begin by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for some online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are reviewing in order to reach 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 school for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Durham NC employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.
Is Enough Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the college you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Durham NC dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal way to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Check if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Durham NC dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Find out from the programs you are evaluating how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Durham NC dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Overall Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can differ in cost dependent on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But in addition to 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 comparing the cost of schools, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to ask what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Durham NC area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Durham NC in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.
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