Issues to Cover With Dental Hygienist Colleges<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Mena AR, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we covered at the opening of this article, many prospective students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the schools. Possibly they search for some online options as well. Even though these may be important initial considerations, there are several additional questions that you need to address to the schools you are looking at in order to make an informed decision. Toward that end, we have provided a list of questions to assist you with your evaluation and ultimate selection of the ideal dental hygienist college for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental College Accredited?<\/strong> There are many valid reasons why you should only select an accredited dental hygienist program. 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 Examination, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the education you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Mena AR employers typically desire 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 programs.<\/p>\nIs Adequate Practical Training Provided?<\/strong> Clinical or practical training is an important part of every dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Many dental hygienist schools have associations 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 adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you ultimately want to work in. For example, if you are interested in a career in pediatric dentistry, verify that the college you choose offers clinical rotation in a local Mena AR dental practice that focuses on dental treatment for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Verify if the dental schools you are looking at have internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the best method to get hands-on, clinical 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 working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes as well.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Offered?<\/strong> Most graduating students of dental hygienist programs require assistance getting their first job. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates are likely to have good reputations within the Mena AR dental profession as well as large networks of contacts where they can refer their students for employment or internships.<\/p>\nAre the Classrooms Small?<\/strong> Find out from the programs you are reviewing how big on average their classrooms are. The smaller classes usually offer a more personal environment for training where students have increased access to the instructors. Conversely, large classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Mena AR dental hygienist college that you are leaning toward in order to experience 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 schools can vary in cost based on the duration of the program and the volume of practical training provided. Other factors, for instance the reputations of the colleges and if 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 expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school materials, equipment and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to include all of the expenses related to your education. Most schools have financial assistance departments, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as loans, grants and scholarships in the Mena AR 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 especially true if you continue working while getting your education and need to go to classes near Mena AR at nights or on weekends. And even if you choose an online school, you will still need to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up policy is if you should have to miss any classes due to illness, work or family responsibilities.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Mena AR?<\/h3>\nMena, Arkansas<\/h3>
Mena was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell during the building of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (now the Kansas City Southern), which stretched from Kansas City, Missouri to Port Arthur, Texas. Train service to Mena began in 1896.<\/p>
Stilwell named the town in honor of Folmina Margaretha Janssen-De Goeijen, the wife of his friend and financier Jan De Goeijen, whom Mr. De Goeijen affectionately called Mena. Janssen Park in the center of Mena is also named for her.<\/p>
In 1901, a black man, Peter Berryman, was lynched after an alleged altercation with a white girl. No one was arrested for the crime.[7] Several other instances of racially motivated hate and violence towards Mena's black community had been noted. This, combined with declining job prospects after the railway shops left town, led many blacks to leave Mena. By 1910, just 16 remained.<\/p>
The Mena Star advertised the town as being \"100% white\" in its March 18, 1920 edition, and a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan was organized in 1922. In 1927, the Mena Commercial Club created advertisements which stated that Mena, in addition to having \"pure soft water\" and \"beautiful scenery\", also had \"no Negroes\".[6][8]<\/p><\/div>\n