Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Fredericksburg VA, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, a number of students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Maybe they look for several online alternatives also. Even though these are significant initial considerations, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the colleges you are comparing in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are several important reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a requirement in virtually 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 education you receive is comprehensive and of the highest quality. Fredericksburg VA employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not offered for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Plenty of Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is a vital part of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options also. Most dental hygienist colleges have relationships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only imperative that the college you enroll in provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Fredericksburg VA dental office that specializes in dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Verify if the dental colleges you are looking at sponsor an internship program. Internships are undoubtedly the most effective means to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They make it easier for students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Offered?<\/strong> Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist programs need help landing their first job. Check if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Fredericksburg VA dental profession as well as broad networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Smaller?<\/strong> Ask the programs you are evaluating how large on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually provide a more personal setting for training where students have increased access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can attend a few classes at the Fredericksburg VA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene programs can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for example the reputations of the schools and whether they are public or private also have an impact. But besides the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so be sure to find out what is available as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Fredericksburg VA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to confirm that the hygienist or assistant program furnishes classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near Fredericksburg VA in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of illness, work or family emergencies.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Fredericksburg VA?<\/h3>\nFredericksburg, Virginia<\/h3>
Fredericksburg is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,286,[1] up from 19,279 at the 2000 census. The city population was estimated at 28,118 in 2015.[2] The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce combines the city of Fredericksburg with neighboring Spotsylvania County for statistical purposes.<\/p>
Located 45 miles (72\u00a0km) south of Washington, D.C. and 58 miles (93\u00a0km) north of Richmond, Fredericksburg is part of the Northern Virginia region[5][6] and is included in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.<\/p>
Located near where the Rappahannock River crosses the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, Fredericksburg was a prominent port in Virginia during the colonial era. During the Civil War, the town, located halfway between the capitals of the opposing forces, was the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg and Second Battle of Fredericksburg, preserved in part as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. More than 10,000 African Americans in the region left slavery for freedom in 1862 alone, getting behind Union lines. Tourism is a major part of the economy, with approximately 1.5 million people visiting the Fredericksburg area annually, including the battlefield park, the downtown visitor center, events, museums and historic sites.[7]<\/p>
Fredericksburg is home to several major retail and commercial centers including Central Park (as of 2004, the second-largest mall on the East Coast) and Spotsylvania Towne Centre, located in Spotsylvania County adjacent to the city line. Major employers include the University of Mary Washington, Mary Washington Healthcare, and GEICO. Many Fredericksburg-area residents commute to work by car, bus, and rail to Washington and Richmond, as well as Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington counties.[8][9][10][11]<\/p><\/div>\n