Points to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in West Frankfort IL, you can begin the process of comparing schools and programs. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of potential students begin by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they look for some online alternatives also. Even though these may be relevant initial points to consider, there are a few additional questions that you should ask of the schools you are looking at in order to reach an informed decision. Toward that end, we have included a list of questions to help you with your evaluation and final selection of the best dental hygienist college for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental School Accredited?<\/strong> There are a number of good reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become licensed or certified, then accreditation is a prerequisite in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, 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. West Frankfort IL employers frequently desire or require that new hires are graduates of accredited schools. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, frequently they are not available for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Plenty of Clinical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is a vital component of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. A number of dental hygienist schools have partnerships with local dental practices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you enroll in offers sufficient clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently want to work in. As an example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, confirm that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local West Frankfort IL dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Verify if the dental schools you are exploring have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to get hands-on, clinical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students form professional relationships in the West Frankfort IL dentistry community. And they look good on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Help Offered?<\/strong> Many students that have graduated from dental hygienist colleges need help landing their first job. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with high job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the West Frankfort IL dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can place their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Smaller?<\/strong> Check with the schools you are reviewing how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes usually offer a more intimate setting for learning where students have greater access to the instructors. Conversely, larger classes often are impersonal and provide little one-on-one instruction. If feasible, find out if you can sit in on a few classes at the West Frankfort IL dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between students and instructors before enrolling.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene schools can vary in cost based on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other variables, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other significant expenses 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, remember to include all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of schools have financial aid departments, so make sure to check out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the West Frankfort IL area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Accessible?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the assistant or hygienist program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while getting your education and must go to classes near West Frankfort IL in the evenings or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, 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 need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near West Frankfort IL?<\/h3>\nWest Frankfort, Illinois<\/h3>
Although one might associate the name \"West Frankfort\" with the city \"Frankfurt\" in Germany, or Frankfort in Kentucky, the truth is far more local. Around 1810, early Tennessee settler Francis (\"Frank\") Jordan and his seven brothers began the construction of a fort atop a hill in present-day Franklin County. Completed in 1811, the fort was named \"Frank's Fort,\" in Jordan's honor.[4]<\/p>
Frank's Fort was built in today's Williamson County, Ill., near Corinth. A few miles to the east, Francis' brother, Thomas Jordan, built \"Jordan's Fort\" in Cave Township, Franklin County, Ill., near the town of Thompsonville.<\/p>
The construction of these forts was in response to the danger of attack during Tecumseh's War, which culminated in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. Then-governor of the Illinois Territory, Ninian Edwards, actively encouraged the construction of these forts and offered the services of the Saline Militia in their erection.[4] Thus, both Jordan family forts were built with the help of the Illinois Militia for safety of the civilians.<\/p>
Since the Shawnee Trail, an important trading route linking Kaskaskia, Illinois and Old Shawneetown, Illinois, ran along the high ground in the vicinity of the fort, this area became an attractive destination for settlers in search of cheap land made available by the recently passed Bit Act of 1850. The resulting settlement took the name of the nearby fort, which was subsequently shortened to \"Frankfort.\" Frankfort grew quickly during this period, with its population rivaling that of Chicago, at the time.[4]<\/p><\/div>\n