What to Ask Dental Hygienist Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Athens PA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the opening of this article, many prospective students start by looking at the cost and the location of the schools. Maybe they search for several online alternatives also. Even though these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to ask of the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are many good reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are planning to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Athens PA employers typically prefer or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, usually they are not obtainable for non-accredited programs.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is an important portion of every dental training program. This is true for the online school options also. A number of dental hygienist programs have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you enroll in provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Athens PA dental office that specializes in dental services for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Find out if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help 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 as well.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Furnished?<\/strong> Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require assistance obtaining their first job. Find out if the schools 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 Athens PA dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre Classes Small?<\/strong> Check with the schools you are looking at how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a few classes at the Athens PA dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other variables, for instance 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 commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to ask what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Athens PA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before enrolling in a dental hygienist college, you must verify that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that accommodate your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near Athens PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose 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 have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family issues.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Athens PA?<\/h3>\nAthens, Pennsylvania<\/h3>
Athens is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States, located 2 miles (3\u00a0km) south of the New York state line on the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers. The population was 3,749 in 1900 and 3,796 in 1910. The population was 3,367 at the 2010 census.[4] Athens is in a small area locally known as \"The Valley\", a group of four contiguous communities in Pennsylvania and New York: Waverly, New York; South Waverly, Pennsylvania; Sayre, Pennsylvania; and Athens. The Valley has a population near 30,000.<\/p>
In September 2011, Athens was heavily damaged by river flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Much of Athens was under water, with the most damage in the downtown area along the river. Damage in nearby Tioga County, New York, was estimated at $100 million.[5]<\/p>
Athens is located in northern Bradford County at 41\u00b057\u203250\u2033N 76\u00b031\u203221\u2033W\ufeff \/ \ufeff41.96389\u00b0N 76.52250\u00b0W\ufeff \/ 41.96389; -76.52250 (41.963809, -76.522608).[7] It lies on land between the Susquehanna River to the east and the Chemung River to the west, extending southward to their confluence at Tioga Point. The borough of Sayre borders Athens to the north, and Athens Township borders the remainder of the borough, to the east, west, and south.<\/p>
U.S. Route 220 passes through the west part of the borough as a four-lane limited access highway, with one exit (West Pine Street) within the borough limits. US-220 leads north to its terminus at Interstate 86 near the New York state line in South Waverly and south to Towanda. Pennsylvania Route 199 forms the borough's Main Street, leading north through Sayre to I-86, where it crosses the state line and becomes New York State Route 34. To the south, PA-199 crosses the Chemung River and ends at US-220. Front Street crosses the Susquehanna River to the east into unincorporated East Athens.<\/p><\/div>\n