Topics to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Point PA, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Maybe they search for several online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the programs you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental College Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist college. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a prerequisite 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 establish that the training you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. West Point PA employers often desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited programs. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited programs.<\/p>\nIs Sufficient Practical Training Included?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the program you select offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local West Point PA dental practice that specializes in dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Verify if the dental schools you are exploring have an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective way 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 West Point PA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Provided?<\/strong> Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges require assistance landing their first job. Ask if the programs you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the West Point PA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre Classes Smaller?<\/strong> Ask the programs you are interested in how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more personal environment for learning where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes can be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the West Point PA 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.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Overall Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also come into play. But along with 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 add all of the expenses related to your education. The majority of schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the West Point PA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while receiving your education and have to attend classes near West Point PA at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up practice is if you should have to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near West Point PA?<\/h3>\nUnited States Military Academy<\/h3>
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point, Army, Army West Point,[6]The Academy or simply The Point, is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in West Point, New York, in Orange County. It was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River with a scenic view, 50 miles (80\u00a0km) north of New York City. It is one of the four U.S. military service academies, and one of the five U.S. service academies.<\/p>
The Academy traces its roots to 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson directed, shortly after his inauguration, that plans be set in motion to establish the United States Military Academy at West Point. The entire central campus is a national landmark and home to scores of historic sites, buildings, and monuments. The majority of the campus's Norman-style buildings are constructed from gray and black granite. The campus is a popular tourist destination, with a visitor center and the oldest museum in the United States Army.<\/p>
Candidates for admission must both apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination, usually from a member of Congress or Delegate\/Resident Commissioner in the case of Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. Other nomination sources include the President and Vice President of the United States.[7] Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as \"cadets\" or collectively as the \"United States Corps of Cadets\" (USCC). Tuition for cadets is fully funded by the Army in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 1,300 cadets enter the Academy each July, with about 1,000 cadets graduating.<\/p>
The academic program grants a bachelor of science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets' performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that \"a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.\" The academy bases a cadet's leadership experience as a development of all three pillars of performance: academics, physical, and military.<\/p><\/div>\n