Subjects to Cover With Dental Hygienist Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Alabaster AL, you can begin the procedure of comparing schools and programs. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, many potential students begin by checking out the cost and the location of the schools. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Although these are significant initial points to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental School Accredited?<\/strong> There are many important reasons why you should only choose an accredited dental hygienist program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition 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 establish that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Alabaster AL employers typically desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited programs.<\/p>\nIs Sufficient Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is a necessary part of every dental training program. This holds true for the online college options as well. A number of dental hygienist colleges have partnerships with local dental offices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the college you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Alabaster AL dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Find out if the dental programs you are evaluating sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal way to get 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Support Furnished?<\/strong> Most students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges require assistance landing their first job. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Schools with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Alabaster AL dental community in addition to broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre Classes Small?<\/strong> Check with the programs you are reviewing how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate atmosphere for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. On the other hand, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If feasible, ask if you can monitor a couple of classes at the Alabaster AL dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward in order to witness first hand the level of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can differ in cost depending on the length of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the colleges and whether they are public or private 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 analyzing the cost of schools, don’t forget to add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Alabaster AL area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to verify that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that suit your schedule. This is particularly true if you continue working while acquiring your education and must go to classes near Alabaster AL at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online college, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should need to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Alabaster AL?<\/h3>\nAlabaster, Alabama<\/h3>
Alabaster is a city and southern suburb of Birmingham in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census, the population was 30,352. According to the 2013 Census Estimates, the city had a population of 31,342. Alabaster is the 16th largest city in Alabama (by number of residents) and still a growing population.[2]<\/p>
Alabaster mostly occupies the Cahaba and Opossum Valleys, which are divided by the Pine Ridge that runs north to south. To the east and west, both valleys are flanked by parallel mountain ridges that locally run north to south, but are a part of a larger system of ridges that generally runs north-east to south-west (the tailing ends of the Appalachian foothills). The valleys are drained by small creeks (Buck Creek, Beaverdam Creek) which flow into the Cahaba River.[5]<\/p>
George L. Scott, Sr., an Alabaster pioneer, owned and operated Alabaster Lime Co. His shipping point was known as \u201cScott Rock\u201d. Later, housing was built to accommodate some of the employees, and the community acquired its name Alabaster from the \"white calcium carbonate mineral\". The First Bank of Alabaster opened in 1952, and its president was George L. Scott, Jr., who later became the first mayor of Alabaster. The first attempt in 1952 to incorporate Alabaster failed. In January 1953, the petition was again filed, and on February 23, 1953, Alabaster was officially incorporated with a favorable vote of 79 to 23, and 427 residing inhabitants. In 1955, the Alabaster Water and Gas Board was formed.[6]<\/p>
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,352 people, 11,016 households, and 6,482 families residing in the city [9].The population density was 1,104.8 people per square mile (426.6\/km\u00b2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.2% White,15.0% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 4.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<\/p><\/div>\n