Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Mifflin PA, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the beginning of this article, a number of prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they search for some online options also. Although these may be significant initial points to consider, there are several 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 due diligence and final selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are many important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a condition in virtually 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 establish that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. West Mifflin PA employers often desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Included?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online college options also. Many dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with regional dental offices and clinics that provide clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you select offers adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you choose offers clinical rotation in a local West Mifflin PA dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Find out if the dental colleges you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective 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 build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they are attractive on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Furnished?<\/strong> Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools need assistance landing their first job. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the West Mifflin PA dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can position their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre Classes Small?<\/strong> Find out from the colleges you are interested in how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal atmosphere for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a few classes at the West Mifflin PA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Overall Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene programs can differ in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with 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 examining the cost of programs, don’t forget to include all of the costs related to your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the West Mifflin PA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the assistant or hygienist program furnishes classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and have to attend classes near West Mifflin PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, 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.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near West Mifflin PA?<\/h3>\nWest Mifflin, Pennsylvania<\/h3>
West Mifflin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, located southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The population was 20,313 at the 2010 census.[4] It is named after Thomas Mifflin, 1st Governor of Pennsylvania, signer of the United States Constitution, and 1st Quartermaster General of the United States Army.[5]<\/p>
Although the borough is heavily residential, it is home to one of America's oldest traditional amusement parks, Kennywood Park. Other employers include advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology research and development facility, Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory; monorail manufacturer Bombardier; US Steel's Mon Valley Works - Irvin Plant; Community College of Allegheny County's South Campus; and the Allegheny County Airport.[6]<\/p>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37\u00a0km2), of which 14.2 square miles (37\u00a0km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78\u00a0km2), or 1.80%, is water. The landscape is largely hilly and wooded, and the borough's eastern boundary is contiguous with the Monongahela River three separate times. Much of the original landscape has been altered as a result of the historic dumping of steel mill byproducts such as slag and fly ash.<\/p>
Coal mining has also affected the flow and water quality of small streams. Land developers have produced more level ground by clean-filling ravines and other small parcels of land to improve the land usage. Toxic waste dump areas[7][8] are monitored with water quality improvement with bioremediation successfully implemented. West Mifflin operates its own sewage treatment facility. The Environmental Protection agency regulates 78 facilities for environmental compliance.[9] Asbestos waste and radioactive waste and controls were addressed in 1991.[10]<\/p><\/div>\n