Issues to Ask Dental Hygienist Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have decided to become a dental hygienist in Creston IA, you can begin the process of comparing programs and schools. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, a number of students begin by looking at the location and the cost of the colleges. Possibly they look for several online options as well. Even though these are significant initial considerations, 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 assist you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist program for you.<\/p>\n
Is the Dental College Accredited?<\/strong> There are many valid reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental hygienist school. If you are intending to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in almost all states. In order to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam, your dental college must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps ensure that the training you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Creston IA employers typically desire or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And last, if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, usually they are not offered for non-accredited colleges.<\/p>\nIs Enough Practical Training Included?<\/strong> Practical or clinical training is an essential part of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options also. Many dental hygienist programs have partnerships with area dental offices and clinics that furnish clinical training for their students. It’s not only important that the program you select provides adequate clinical hours but also provides them in the type of practice that you subsequently would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the program you select offers clinical rotation in a local Creston IA dental practice that specializes in dental care for children.<\/p>\nIs There an Internship Program?<\/strong> Ask if the dental colleges you are considering sponsor internship programs. Internships are probably the best way to receive hands-on, practical experience in a professional dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students develop professional relationships in the Creston IA dentistry community. And they look good on resumes as well.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Assistance Offered?<\/strong> Most graduating students of dental hygienist schools require help landing their first job. Ask if the programs you are considering have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with higher job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Creston IA dental community as well as extensive networks of contacts where they can position their students for internships or employment.<\/p>\nAre Classes Small?<\/strong> Check with the colleges you are reviewing how large typically their classes 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, bigger classes tend to be impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can sit in on a couple of classes at the Creston IA dental hygienist school that you are most interested in so that you can experience first hand the amount of interaction between instructors and students before making a commitment.<\/p>\n <\/strong>What is the Total Expense of the Program?<\/strong> Dental hygiene schools can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the volume of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are private or public also have an impact. But in addition to the tuition there are other substantial expenses 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 add all of the costs associated with your education. The majority of colleges have financial aid departments, so be sure to check out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in the Creston IA area.<\/p>\nAre the Classes Convenient?<\/strong> Before selecting a dental hygienist college, you need to verify that the hygienist or assistant program provides classes that fit your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and need to attend classes near Creston IA at nights or on weekends. And even if you enroll in an online program, you will still need to schedule your clinical training classes. Also, while making your inquiries, ask what the make-up procedure is if you should need to miss any classes due to work, illness or family emergencies.<\/p>\nAttending Dental Hygienist School near Creston IA?<\/h3>\nCreston, Iowa<\/h3>
Creston was originally settled in 1868 as a survey camp for the workers with the Burlington and Missouri Railroad. The campsite was on the crest of the railroad line between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, hence the name \"Creston.\" The area was developed largely for agriculture, with related industries accompanying it. Creston had a flour mill in the early decades of the 20th century.<\/p>
Creston was chosen as the division point for the railroad (now the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe. It built machine shops, roundhouse and a construction camp in the new town. The town was incorporated in 1871. A new railroad station was constructed by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1899, and the three-story structure served passengers for 69 years. Workers, including African Americans, were recruited from Chicago and other major cities to work in Creston to maintain the railroad networks. The old machine shop building was destroyed by a tornado in 1946.<\/p>
Restructuring of railroads in the mid-20th century reduced passenger service to Creston, as railroads had lost passengers to automobile travel and the widespread ownership of vehicles. The number of railroad jobs were reduced in the city, affecting its economy and population. The depot was renovated in 1978 to serve as a City Municipal Building. The remainder of the BNSF roundhouse burned down in 1981, but BNSF continued to be the major hauler of grain and coal in the region. Creston is a stop on the BNSF Railway. Rail crews based in Creston work from Creston to Lincoln, Nebraska, and crews from Galesburg, Illinois and Lincoln stay in town while waiting for trains back to their home terminals.<\/p>
Today, Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Creston. It operates its California Zephyr daily in both directions between Chicago, Illinois, and Emeryville, California, across the bay from San Francisco.[6]<\/p><\/div>\n