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Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Derry PA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the start of this article, many students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for several online options as well. Although these are significant initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist program for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually 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 guarantee that the education you get is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Derry PA employers frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It's not only essential that the school you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Derry PA dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are considering have internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to get hands-on, clinical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance landing their first job. Ask if the programs 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 Derry PA dental community in addition to large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classrooms Small? Ask the colleges you are reviewing how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal setting for training where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Derry PA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.
What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, for example the reputations of the colleges and if they are public or private also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of schools, don't forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Derry PA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Derry PA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family issues.
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