Topics to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Now that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Hickam Afb HI, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many potential students start by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they look for several online alternatives as well. Even though these may be significant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you should ask of the programs you are reviewing in order to reach an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the right dental hygienist school for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental Program Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of important reasons why you should only pick an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a condition in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps establish that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Hickam Afb HI employers typically prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited schools. And finally, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Sufficient Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is an essential component of any dental training program. This holds true for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist schools have relationships with local dental practices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you choose provides enough clinical hours but also provides them in the type 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 college you enroll in offers clinical rotation in a local Hickam Afb HI dental practice that focuses on dental care for children.<\/p>\nAre Internships Available?<\/strong> Ask if the dental colleges you are exploring sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the most effective way to receive 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 develop professional relationships in the Hickam Afb HI dentistry community. And they look good on resumes also.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Offered?<\/strong> Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help getting their first job. Check if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Hickam Afb HI dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre Classrooms Smaller?<\/strong> Ask the colleges you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, larger classes can be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Hickam Afb HI dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can witness first hand the level of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Entire Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene colleges can vary in cost dependent on the length 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 in addition to the tuition there are other significant costs which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of schools, don’t forget to include all of the expenses associated with your education. Most colleges have financial aid offices, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Hickam Afb HI area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist school, you need to make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you will be working while receiving your education and need to go to classes near Hickam Afb HI at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online program, you will still be required to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes because of illness, work or family issues.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Hickam Afb HI?<\/h3>\nHickam Air Force Base<\/h3>
Hickam Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lieutenant Colonel Horace Meek Hickam. The base merged with the Naval Station Pearl Harbor to become part of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor\u2013Hickam. The base neighbors Honolulu International Airport and currently shares runways with the airport for its activities and purposes.<\/p>
Hickam is home to the 15th Wing (15 WG) and 67 partner units including Headquarters of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Hawaii Air National Guard and the 154th Wing (154 WG) of the Hawaii Air National Guard. The Air Mobility Command's 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing (515 AMOW) provides tactical and strategic airlift within the Pacific region.<\/p>
The 15th Wing is composed of four groups each with specific functions. The 15th Operations Group (15 OG) controls all flying and airfield operations. The 15th Maintenance Group (15 MXG) performs aircraft and aircraft ground equipment maintenance. The 15th Mission Support Group (15 MSG) has a wide range of responsibilities but a few of its functions are Security, Civil Engineering, Communications, Personnel Management, Logistics, Services and Contracting support. The 15th Medical Group (15 MDG) provides medical and dental care.<\/p>
The 535th Airlift, 96th Air Refueling, and 19th Fighter Squadrons are each hybrid units joined with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 204th Airlift, 203rd Air Refueling, and 199th Fighter Squadrons, respectively. These units are structured according to the Total Force Integration (TFI) concept, and as such have both an active duty Commander and a Guard Commander. They share missions as well as equipment.<\/p><\/div>\n