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Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Washington Court House OH, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they search for some online options as well. Although these are significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are comparing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are several valid reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Washington Court House OH employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not provided for non-accredited schools.
Is Plenty of Clinical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Washington Court House OH dental office that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental schools you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional 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 are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Furnished? Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need help landing their first job. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Washington Court House OH dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Check with the colleges you are reviewing how large typically their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more intimate environment 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 few classes at the Washington Court House OH dental hygienist college that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Total Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also come into play. But along with the tuition there are other substantial expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of colleges, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Washington Court House OH area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Washington Court House OH at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still have 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 responsibilities.
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