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Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Murrysville PA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students start by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for some online alternatives as well. Although these may be significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of valid reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Murrysville PA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not provided for non-accredited colleges.
Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Clinical or practical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It's not only imperative that the program you enroll in offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Murrysville PA dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to receive hands-on, clinical 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 form working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance getting 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 are likely to have good reputations within the Murrysville PA dental profession in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the programs you are interested in how big on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Murrysville PA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost depending on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But along with 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 programs, don't forget to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial assistance departments, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Murrysville PA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near Murrysville PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.
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