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What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Troy OH, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the beginning of this article, many students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online options as well. Although these may be significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are looking at in order to make 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 ideal dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. 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 Exam, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Troy OH employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist programs have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the college you enroll in provides sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Troy OH dental practice that focuses on dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Verify if the dental schools you are considering have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way 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 develop working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance landing their first job. Check if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Troy OH dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Small? Find out from the programs you are looking at how big typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Troy OH dental hygienist college that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But besides the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 programs, 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 offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Troy OH area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to attend classes near Troy OH at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
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