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Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Cottage Lake WA, you can start the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, a number of prospective students start by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Possibly they look for some online options also. Although these are important initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should address to the colleges you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many good 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 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 establish that the education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Cottage Lake WA employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges.
Is Sufficient Practical Training Provided? Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the program you select offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the school you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Cottage Lake WA dental office that specializes in dental care for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Verify if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Cottage Lake WA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need assistance getting their first job. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Cottage Lake WA dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.
Are the Classes Small? Check with the schools you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes usually provide a more intimate environment for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the Cottage Lake WA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the degree of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Cost of the Program? Dental hygiene training can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant costs 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 comparing the cost of schools, don't forget to add all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Cottage Lake WA area.
Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the assistant or hygienist program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to go to classes near Cottage Lake WA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
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