It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Dental Hygienist Career Below
What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Mountlake Terrace WA, you can start the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they search for several online options also. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have included a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental School Accredited? There are a number of important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. To qualify to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Mountlake Terrace WA employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.
Is Enough Clinical Training Provided? Clinical or practical training is a vital component of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Most dental hygienist schools have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It's not only important that the school you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Mountlake Terrace WA dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Is There an Internship Program? Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective method to get 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Furnished? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs require help landing their first job. Find out if the programs you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Mountlake Terrace WA dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for internships or employment.
Are the Classes Smaller? Ask the colleges you are looking at how big typically their classes are. The smaller classes tend to offer a more intimate setting for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Mountlake Terrace WA dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and instructors before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense of the Program? Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost depending on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other variables, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other substantial costs 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 schools, don't forget to include all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Mountlake Terrace WA area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near Mountlake Terrace WA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online college, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Training to Become a Dental Hygienist in Mountlake Terrace