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Questions to Cover With Dental Hygienist Schools
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Greendale WI, you can start the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students start by looking at the cost and the location of the colleges. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives as well. Although these are important initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist college for you.
Is the Dental College Accredited? There are many important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are going to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental program must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the instruction you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Greendale WI employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.
Is Adequate Clinical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important part of every dental training program. This is true for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist programs have associations with regional dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It's not only essential that the college you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For 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 Greendale WI dental office that specializes in dental services for children.
Are Internships Available? Find out if the dental schools you are evaluating have internship programs. Internships are probably the best means to obtain hands-on, practical 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 establish professional relationships in the Greendale WI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.
Is Job Placement Support Furnished? Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist schools need help landing their first job. Check if the programs you are researching have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Greendale WI dental community as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.
Are Classrooms Small? Check with the programs you are interested in how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally provide a more personal setting for learning where students have greater access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, find out if you can attend a couple of classes at the Greendale WI dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.
What is the Entire Expense 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 variables, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also have an impact. 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 equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of colleges, remember to add all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial assistance departments, so be sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Greendale WI area.
Are the Classes Convenient? Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while getting your education and have to go to classes near Greendale WI in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still be required to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.
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