It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Chattanooga TN, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of potential students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online options also. Even though these may be important initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the colleges you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental Program Accredited? There are a number of good reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in virtually all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Chattanooga TN employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Enough Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a vital portion of any dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that provide clinical 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. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Chattanooga TN dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are evaluating have an internship program. Internships are probably the ideal way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students create professional relationships in the Chattanooga TN dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Most graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need help getting their first job. Ask if the programs you are considering 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 Chattanooga TN dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are Classes Smaller? Find out from the schools you are reviewing how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, ask if you can attend a few classes at the Chattanooga TN dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, 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 substantial expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, don't forget to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Chattanooga TN area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that fit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Chattanooga TN in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Dental Hygienist in Chattanooga