Questions to Ask Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Westmont IL, you can begin the procedure of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the start of this article, many students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they look for several online options as well. Even though these are relevant initial factors to consider, there are a few additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. To start that process, we have furnished a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental College Accredited?<\/strong> There are several 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 nearly 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 ensure that the instruction you receive is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Westmont IL employers often prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited programs. And last, if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, often they are not available for non-accredited schools.<\/p>\nIs Enough Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is an important component of any dental training program. This applies for the online college options as well. Most dental hygienist schools have associations with local dental offices and clinics that provide practical training for their students. It’s not only essential that the program you choose provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, check that the school you select offers clinical rotation in a local Westmont IL dental office that focuses on dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Find out if the dental schools you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to obtain hands-on, practical experience in a real dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students establish professional relationships in the Westmont IL dentistry community. And they are attractive on resumes too.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Help Furnished?<\/strong> Many graduating students of dental hygienist colleges need assistance getting their first job. Find out if the programs you are looking at have job placement programs, and what their job placement rates are. Programs with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Westmont IL dental profession in addition to extensive networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre Classes Small?<\/strong> Find out from the programs you are reviewing how large typically their classrooms are. The smaller classes tend to provide a more intimate environment for training where students have greater access to the instructors. On the other hand, large classes tend to be impersonal and offer little individualized instruction. If practical, ask if you can attend a couple of classes at the Westmont IL dental hygienist school that you are leaning toward so that you can experience first hand the degree of interaction between students and teachers before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Cost of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene programs can vary in cost depending on the length of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and whether they are private or public also come into play. But in addition to the tuition there are other significant expenses which can add up. They can include costs for such things as textbooks and commuting as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when analyzing the cost of schools, remember to add all of the expenses associated with your education. Most schools have financial aid departments, so be sure to find out what is available as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Westmont IL area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you must make sure that the hygienist or assistant program offers classes that suit your schedule. This is especially true if you continue working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Westmont IL at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still have to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should have to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Westmont IL?<\/h3>\nWestmont, Illinois<\/h3>
Westmont is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. Westmont is a community of 5.03 square miles in area. Westmont had a 2000 population of 24,554, a partial special census was conducted 2007 resulting in a population of 26,211, and the census of 2010 put the population at 24,685. It is located approximately 18 miles (29\u00a0km) west of the Chicago Loop in the southeastern portion of DuPage County.[5]<\/p>
The area known as Westmont was inhabited by the Potawatami until the year 1833. After several failed attempts by the U.S. government to persuade the Native Americans to move from the area, in 1833, the Native Americans agreed under coercion to vacate their land for nominal payment.[6]<\/p>
The development of the Illinois-Michigan Canal, authorized by the State of Illinois in the 1820s but delayed in construction until the 1830s, contributed to Westmont's early growth.[6] When the economic Panic of 1837 halted canal construction, many of the workers turned to farming, and agriculture became the major occupation, with produce sold in nearby Chicago. The area around Westmont became one of the most prosperous sections of the state.<\/p>
In order to transport agricultural products into the city of Chicago, construction of a plank road originating in Chicago began in 1840. The plank road was placed over the nine-mile (14\u00a0km) swamp separating Chicago and the area that became Westmont, and reached Naperville, Illinois by 1851.[6] Today, this roadway is known as Ogden Avenue (U.S. Route 34).<\/p><\/div>\n